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

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, a wireless communication device, and a wireless communication program. The wireless communication system comprises: a centralized-control device; and a plurality of APs that are connected to the centralized-control device. The centralized-control device is configured to execute: a process for setting at least one of the plurality of APs to a priority AP having a priority higher than the other APs; a process for storing a first ratio which is the ratio of the number of general APs, being APs other than the priority AP, and the number of priority APs among the plurality of APs; a process for setting a second ratio which is the ratio of a frequency bandwidth being used by one of normal APs and a frequency bandwidth being used by one of the priority APs; a process for calculating, on the basis of the first ratio and the second ratio, a third ratio which is the ratio of the number of frequency resources usable by the general APs and the number of frequency resources usable by the priority APs; a process for setting a priority frequency band in a portion of a usable frequency band, on the basis of the third ratio; a process for allocating a frequency band including the priority frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the priority APs; and a process for allocating, as the wireless resource to be used by the general APs, a frequency band obtained by excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band.

Description

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

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, a wireless communication device, and a wireless communication program.

[0002] RATOP (Resource allocation based on Area Throughput Optimization Policy) is known as a method for maximizing the effective capacity of the entire system by centrally controlling the wireless resources used by wireless LAN base stations (APs) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In RATOP, a centralized control device grasps the state of mutual interference among the APs and allocates wireless resources such as frequency channels and bandwidths to be used by each AP.

[0004] BAHirantha Sithira Abeysekera et al., "Network Controlled Frequency Channel and Bandwidth Allocation Scheme for IEEE 802.11a / n / ac Wireless LANs: RATOP", 2014 IEEE 25th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, pp.1041-1045

[0005] In a centralized wireless resource control system such as RATOP, it is conceivable to set a priority AP that can exclusively use a specific frequency band. However, the RATOP rules do not clearly define how to assign a specific frequency band to a priority AP.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first objective of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication system that can assign a specific frequency band to a priority AP so as to improve the efficiency of frequency band utilization and the communication quality of the entire system.

[0007] A second object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication method that can allocate a specific frequency band to a priority AP so as to improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency band and the communication quality of the entire system.

[0008] A third object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication device that can allocate a specific frequency band to a priority AP so as to improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency band and the communication quality of the entire system.

[0009] A fourth object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication program that can allocate a specific frequency band to a priority AP so as to improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency band and the communication quality of the entire system.

[0010] A first aspect of the present disclosure is preferably a wireless communication system including a centralized control device and a plurality of APs connected to the centralized control device, wherein the centralized control device is configured to perform the following processes: a process of setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP having a higher priority than other APs; a process of storing a first ratio which is the ratio between the number of general APs that are not priority APs among the plurality of APs and the number of priority APs; a process of setting a second ratio which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one general AP and the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP; a process of calculating a third ratio which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources that can be used by the general APs and the number of frequency resources that can be used by the priority APs based on the first ratio and the second ratio; a process of setting a priority frequency band as a part of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; a process of assigning a frequency band including the priority frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the priority AP; and a process of assigning a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP.

[0011] Furthermore, a second aspect of the present disclosure is preferably a wireless communication method implemented by a centralized control device connected to a plurality of APs, the wireless communication method comprising: setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP having a higher priority than other APs; storing a first ratio which is a ratio between the number of general APs (APs that are not priority APs) among the plurality of APs and the number of priority APs; setting a second ratio which is a ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one general AP and the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP; calculating a third ratio which is a ratio between the number of frequency resources usable by the general APs and the number of frequency resources usable by the priority APs based on the first ratio and the second ratio; setting a priority frequency band to a portion of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; allocating a frequency band including the priority frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the priority AP; and allocating a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP.

[0012] Furthermore, a third aspect of the present disclosure is preferably a wireless communication device connected to a plurality of APs, and configured to perform the following processes: a process of setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP having a higher priority than the other APs; a process of storing a first ratio which is the ratio between the number of general APs, which are APs that are not priority APs among the plurality of APs, and the number of priority APs; a process of setting a second ratio which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one general AP and the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP; a process of calculating a third ratio which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources that can be used by the general APs and the number of frequency resources that can be used by the priority APs, based on the first ratio and the second ratio; a process of setting a priority frequency band as a part of the usable frequency band, based on the third ratio; a process of assigning a frequency band including the priority frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the priority AP; and a process of assigning a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP.

[0013] Furthermore, a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is preferably a wireless communication program to be executed by a wireless communication device having a processor and a memory and connected to a plurality of APs, the program being stored in the memory and computer-readable, and including a program for causing the processor to execute the following processes: a process of setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP having a higher priority than the other APs; a process of storing a first ratio which is the ratio between the number of general APs that are APs that are not priority APs among the plurality of APs and the number of priority APs; a process of setting a second ratio which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one general AP and the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP; a process of calculating a third ratio which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources that can be used by the general APs and the number of frequency resources that can be used by the priority APs based on the first ratio and the second ratio; a process of setting a priority frequency band as a part of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; a process of assigning a frequency band including the priority frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the priority AP; and a process of assigning a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP.

[0014] According to the first to fourth aspects of the present disclosure, a specific frequency band can be assigned to a priority AP so that the utilization efficiency of the frequency band is improved and the communication quality of the entire system is improved.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of a centralized control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating frequency bands according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the centralized control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating frequency bands according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating frequency bands according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a first diagram illustrating frequency bands according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating mutual interference of APs according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] 1 is a diagram showing a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 includes at least one AP. Here, the wireless communication system 100 includes APs 2a and 2b. The APs 2a and 2b are wireless devices and have multiple terminals 4 under their control.

[0017] The wireless communication system 100 also includes at least one priority AP. Here, the wireless communication system 100 is shown to include a priority AP 8a. The priority AP 8a is a wireless device that has multiple terminals 4 under its control. The priority AP 8a has a higher priority than other APs and is set to be able to use a specific frequency band.

[0018] The APs 2a, 2b, and the priority AP 8a are connected to the centralized control device 6. The centralized control device 6 grasps the state of mutual interference among the APs 2a, 2b, and the priority AP 8a. The state of mutual interference is grasped based on, for example, the positional relationship between the APs.

[0019] Furthermore, the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources such as frequency channels and bandwidths to be used by each AP so as to maximize the throughput of the entire wireless communication system 100. The method by which the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources will be described in detail later.

[0020] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the centralized control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Each function of the centralized control device 6 may be partially or entirely configured by hardware such as a programmable logic device (PLD) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0021] For example, the central control device 6 can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided via a network.

[0022] 2, the centralized control device 6 has an input unit 600, an output unit 601, a communication unit 602, a CPU 603, a memory 604, and an HDD 605 connected via a bus 606, and functions as a computer. The centralized control device 6 is also capable of inputting and outputting data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 607.

[0023] The input unit 600 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, etc. The output unit 601 is, for example, a display device such as a display.

[0024] The communication unit 602 is, for example, a communication interface that communicates with a wireless device to be controlled.

[0025] The CPU 603 controls each component of the central control device 6 and performs predetermined processing, etc. The memory 604 and HDD 605 store data, etc.

[0026] The storage medium 607 is capable of storing programs and the like that cause the centralized control device 6 to execute the functions of the centralized control device 6. Note that the architecture that constitutes the centralized control device 6 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating frequency bands according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The upper diagram of Fig. 3 illustrates allocation of radio resources by the centralized control device 6. The lower diagram of Fig. 3 illustrates a method of allocating channels according to channel bandwidths that can be selected by an AP for a frequency band belonging to the 6 GHz band. The horizontal axis represents frequency.

[0028] Here, a method will be described in which the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP in the frequency band of 5945 to 6425 MHz, which belongs to the 6 GHz band.

[0029] First, the centralized control device 6 sets a priority frequency band 80 in a part of the frequency band 10, which is the entire available frequency band. The priority frequency band 80 is a specific frequency band that can be used preferentially by a priority AP.

[0030] A method for setting the priority frequency band 80 will now be described in detail. First, the centralized control device 6 sets at least one of the connected APs as a priority AP. Hereinafter, among the APs connected to the centralized control device 6, APs that are not priority APs will be referred to as normal APs.

[0031] The central control device 6 stores the ratio of the number of normal APs to the number of priority APs. Hereinafter, this ratio will be simply referred to as the ratio of the number of APs. Here, this ratio of the number of APs is assumed to be 1:a.

[0032] Next, the centralized control device 6 sets the ratio of the frequency bandwidth used by one normal AP to the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP. Hereinafter, this ratio will be simply referred to as the frequency bandwidth ratio. Here, this frequency bandwidth ratio is set to 1:x.

[0033] The frequency bandwidth ratio may be set by the user, or may be calculated based on the user's setting by the centralized control device 6. For example, the centralized control device 6 may set a conversion rule between the throughput value and the frequency bandwidth in advance, and calculate the required frequency bandwidth ratio based on the throughput value set by the user.

[0034] Next, the centralized control device 6 calculates the ratio of the number of frequency resources available to the general APs to the number of frequency resources available to the priority APs based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of the frequency bandwidths. Hereinafter, this ratio will be simply referred to as the frequency resource ratio. Here, this ratio of the number of frequency resources is assumed to be 1:ax.

[0035] The number of frequency resources may be, for example, the number of 20 MHz channels available for use in a wireless LAN, or the number of OFDMA RUs.

[0036] Next, the centralized control device 6 sets a priority frequency band 80 to a part of the frequency band 10, which is the entire usable frequency band, based on the ratio of the number of frequency resources. Here, the bands of the frequency band 10 that are not the priority frequency band 80 are referred to as non-priority frequency bands 20. The centralized control device 6 sets the priority frequency band 80 so that the ratio of the non-priority frequency band 20 to the priority frequency band 80 is 1:ax.

[0037] Next, the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP. At this time, the centralized control device 6 allocates a frequency band 50a as the wireless resource to be used by the priority AP. The frequency band 50a is the entire frequency band 10 including the priority frequency band 80.

[0038] The centralized control device 6 also allocates a frequency band 50b as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP. The frequency band 50b is a band obtained by excluding the priority frequency band 80 from the frequency band 10.

[0039] As described above, the centralized control device 6 sets the priority frequency band 80 based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of the frequency bandwidths. As a result, the frequency band required by the priority AP can be secured. In other words, the utilization efficiency of the frequency band can be improved, thereby improving the communication quality of the entire system.

[0040] Although the embodiment in which the ratio of frequency resources is calculated as 1:ax has been shown here, the present invention is not limited to this. The ratio of frequency resources may be calculated based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of frequency bandwidths described above, and may vary depending on, for example, the positional relationship between APs or transmission power.

[0041] 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the centralized control device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, in step 100, the centralized control device 6 determines whether an opportunity to collect information from each AP and each wireless terminal has occurred. If an opportunity to collect information has occurred, the process proceeds to step 102. If an opportunity to collect information has not occurred, the process ends.

[0042] The information collection trigger occurs, for example, at a regular interval. The information collected here is information necessary to understand the state of mutual interference between APs connected to the centralized control device 6, such as changes in the relative positions of the APs.

[0043] In step 102, the centralized control device 6 collects information from each AP. Next, in step 104, the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP. The method of allocating wireless resources is as described above.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the priority frequency band 80 is set based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of the frequency bandwidths. As a result, the frequency band required by the priority AP can be secured. In other words, the utilization efficiency of the frequency band can be improved, thereby improving the communication quality of the entire system.

[0045] 5 is a diagram illustrating frequency bands according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The allocation of radio resources according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that multiple levels of priority are provided.

[0046] The upper diagram in Fig. 5 shows the allocation of wireless resources by the centralized control device 6. The lower diagram in Fig. 5 shows a channel allocation method according to the channel bandwidth that can be selected by the AP for a frequency band belonging to the 6 GHz band. The horizontal axis represents frequency.

[0047] Here, a method will be described in which the central control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP for the frequency band of 5945 to 6425 MHz belonging to the 6 GHz band. Note that a description of parts common to FIG. 3 will be omitted.

[0048] First, the centralized control device 6 sets a priority frequency band 80 and a top priority frequency band 90 in a part of the frequency band 10, which is the entire usable frequency band. The top priority frequency band 90 is a specific frequency band that can be used preferentially by the top priority AP, which is an AP with an even higher priority than the priority AP.

[0049] A method for setting the priority frequency band 80 and the highest priority frequency band 90 will now be described in detail. First, the centralized control device 6 sets at least one of the connected APs as a priority AP and at least one as a highest priority AP. Hereinafter, among the APs connected to the centralized control device 6, an AP that has not been set as a priority AP or a highest priority AP will be referred to as a normal AP.

[0050] The central control device 6 stores the ratio of the number of normal APs to the number of priority APs and the number of top priority APs. Here, the ratio is assumed to be 1:a:b.

[0051] Next, the centralized control device 6 sets the ratio of the frequency bandwidth used by one normal AP, the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP, and the frequency bandwidth used by one top priority AP. Hereinafter, this ratio will be simply referred to as the frequency bandwidth ratio. Here, this frequency bandwidth ratio is assumed to be 1:x:y.

[0052] Next, the centralized control device 6 calculates the ratio of the number of frequency resources available to the general APs, the number of frequency resources available to the priority APs, and the number of frequency resources available to the highest priority AP based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of the frequency bandwidths. Here, the ratio of the number of frequency resources is set to 1:ax:by.

[0053] Next, the centralized control device 6 sets a priority frequency band 80 and a highest priority frequency band 90 in part of frequency band 10, which is the entire usable frequency band, based on the ratio of the number of frequency resources. Here, bands within frequency band 10 that are not the priority frequency band 80 or the highest priority frequency band 90 are referred to as non-priority frequency bands 20. The centralized control device 6 sets the priority frequency band 80 and the highest priority frequency band 90 so that the ratio of the non-priority frequency band 20, the priority frequency band 80, and the highest priority frequency band 90 is 1:ax:by.

[0054] Next, the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP. At this time, the centralized control device 6 allocates frequency band 50c as the wireless resource to be used by the highest priority AP. Frequency band 50c is the entire frequency band 10 including the priority frequency band 80 and the highest priority frequency band 90.

[0055] The centralized control device 6 also allocates a frequency band 50a as a wireless resource to be used by the priority AP. The frequency band 50a is a band obtained by excluding the highest priority frequency band 90 from the frequency band 10.

[0056] The centralized control device 6 also allocates a frequency band 50b as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP. The frequency band 50b is a band obtained by excluding the priority frequency band 80 and the highest priority frequency band 90 from the frequency band 10.

[0057] As described above, the centralized control device 6 sets the priority frequency band 80 and the highest priority frequency band 90 based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of the frequency bandwidths. As a result, even when there are multiple levels of priority, the frequency band required by each AP can be secured. In other words, the utilization efficiency of the frequency band can be improved, thereby improving the communication quality of the entire system.

[0058] Although the frequency resource ratio is calculated as 1:ax:by in this example, the present invention is not limited to this. The frequency resource ratio may be calculated based on the ratio of the number of APs and the ratio of the frequency bandwidths, and may vary depending on, for example, the positional relationship between APs or the transmission power.

[0059] In addition, although the embodiment has been described in terms of three levels of priority for the priority APs, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the embodiment may be applied to a case where the priority for the priority APs has four or more levels of priority.

[0060] 6 is a diagram illustrating frequency bands according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The allocation of radio resources according to this embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that it is performed using bands excluding bands that are subject to interference from wireless devices that are not subject to management.

[0061] The upper diagram in Fig. 6 shows the allocation of wireless resources by the centralized control device 6. The lower diagram in Fig. 6 shows a channel allocation method according to the channel bandwidth that can be selected by the AP for a frequency band belonging to the 6 GHz band. The horizontal axis represents frequency.

[0062] Here, we will describe a method in which the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP when a part of the frequency band 10 is interfered with by wireless communication originating from a wireless device that is not managed by the centralized control device 6. Note that descriptions of parts common to Figures 3 and 5 will be omitted here. The frequency band that is interfered with here will be referred to as an interference frequency band 40 hereinafter.

[0063] The centralized control device 6 according to this embodiment first detects interference due to wireless communication originating from a wireless device that is not subject to management in the frequency band 10. If interference is detected, an interference frequency band 40 is further set.

[0064] The interference frequency band 40 set here may be, for example, a band in which the interference level is higher than a specific threshold, or a band in which the amount of interference traffic or airtime is higher than a specific threshold.

[0065] Alternatively, the interference frequency band 40 may be set to a band that cannot be used by the AP connected to the centralized control device 6 or a band that does not need to be used preferentially. For example, if the AP connected to the centralized control device 6 wants to use the 6 GHz band preferentially over the 5 GHz band, the 5 GHz band may be set as the interference frequency band 40.

[0066] Furthermore, when large interference is detected in a channel adjacent to the frequency band of an AP connected to the centralized control device 6, the interference frequency band 40 may be set to a band of a specific bandwidth adjacent to the adjacent channel. This setting can increase the efficiency of wireless communication of each AP connected to the centralized control device 6.

[0067] Next, the centralized control device 6 obtains a new frequency band 10a by excluding the set interference frequency band 40 from the frequency band 10. Then, the centralized control device 6 allocates wireless resources to each AP using the frequency band 10a instead of the frequency band 10.

[0068] As described above, when the centralized control device 6 detects an interference frequency band 40, it allocates wireless resources to each AP using a new frequency band 10a that excludes the interference frequency band 40. As a result, it is possible to avoid interference with wireless devices that are not managed by the centralized control device 6. In other words, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency band, thereby improving the communication quality of the entire system.

[0069] 7 is a first diagram illustrating frequency bands according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The allocation of wireless resources according to this embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that the width of the band set as the priority frequency band 80 is set in stages so that no band is available that the priority AP cannot use.

[0070] The upper diagram of Figure 7 shows a channel allocation method according to the channel bandwidth that can be selected by an AP for a frequency band belonging to the 6 GHz band. The horizontal axis represents frequency. From the upper diagram of Figure 7, it can be seen that for frequency bands belonging to the GHz band, wireless resources can be allocated for a minimum of 20 MHz band.

[0071] The bottom diagram in Figure 7 shows the bandwidth of the priority frequency band 80 that can be set in stages when there is one priority AP. In the 5945 to 6425 MHz frequency band that belongs to the 6 GHz band, the bandwidth of frequency band 10 is 480 MHz. Therefore, when there is one priority AP, the bandwidths that can be set as the priority frequency band 80 are 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 MHz.

[0072] Note that if 480 MHz is set, the entire frequency band 10 will be set, so it is excluded here. This is also the case in FIG.

[0073] 8 is a second diagram illustrating frequency bands according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The upper diagram of FIG. 8 illustrates a channel allocation method according to channel bandwidths that can be selected by an AP for a frequency band belonging to the 6 GHz band. The horizontal axis represents frequency. From the upper diagram of FIG. 8, it can be seen that for frequency bands belonging to the GHz band, wireless resources can be allocated to a minimum of 20 MHz bands.

[0074] The lower diagram in Figure 8 shows the bandwidth of the priority frequency band 80 that can be set in stages when two priority APs use different frequency bands. In the 5945-6425 MHz frequency band, which belongs to the 6 GHz band, the bandwidth of frequency band 10 is 480 MHz. Therefore, when there are two priority APs, the bandwidth that can be set as the priority frequency band 80 is the result of combining the bandwidths shown in the lower diagram in Figure 7 for two priority APs. In other words, the bandwidths that can be set as the priority frequency band 80 are 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 160, 180, 200, 240, 320, 340, 360, and 400 MHz.

[0075] The centralized control device 6 selects the bandwidth to be set as the priority frequency band 80 from the above-mentioned bandwidths in stages. This selection is made based on the number of priority APs in the area or the number of priority APs within the mutual interference range. Priority APs within the mutual interference range may be, for example, priority APs that may interfere with each other because their physical distance is below a certain threshold, or priority APs that have been confirmed to actually interfere with each other. As a result, the priority AP can use the entire range of the assigned priority frequency band 80. In other words, the priority AP can avoid the problem of being unable to use part of the priority frequency band 80 because a band that is not divisible by the selectable channel bandwidth is assigned as the priority frequency band 80.

[0076] As described above, the centralized control device 6 sets the priority frequency band 80 in stages based on the minimum bandwidth to which wireless resources can be allocated and the number of priority APs in the area or the number of priority APs within the range of mutual interference. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of bands that cannot be used by priority APs. In other words, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of frequency bands, thereby improving the communication quality of the entire system.

[0077] In this embodiment, the number of priority APs may be set to a smaller number than the actual number in order to simplify the process. In this case, multiple priority APs may use the same band as the priority frequency band 80.

[0078] In addition, in the present embodiment, the priority frequency band 80 is set in stages so that no band is unavailable for use by the priority AP, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present embodiment may be applied to the highest priority AP and the highest priority frequency band 90. Alternatively, the present embodiment may be applied to a case where there are multiple priority levels for the priority AP.

[0079] 9 is a diagram illustrating mutual interference between APs according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The allocation of radio resources according to this embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that it is performed for each divided area.

[0080] Here, the wireless communication system 100 is shown to have 32 normal APs and 4 priority APs, i.e., a total of 36 APs. The 36 APs are divided into four areas. Area 30a has priority APs 8a and 8b and 7 normal APs. Area 30b has priority AP 8c and 8 normal APs. Area 30c has 9 normal APs. Area 30d has priority AP 8d and 8 normal APs.

[0081] The method by which the centralized control device 6 according to this embodiment allocates wireless resources to each AP will now be described. First, the centralized control device 6 acquires information regarding area division. The information regarding area division may be information based on area division previously performed by the centralized control device 6 itself, or information based on area division arbitrarily performed by the user. Here, as described above, information is acquired that a total of 36 APs are divided into four areas: 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d.

[0082] Next, the central control device 6 allocates radio resources for each area based on the acquired information. This allocation is performed by applying the aspects described in the first to fourth embodiments.

[0083] As described above, the centralized control device 6 allocates radio resources to each of the previously divided areas. As a result, the setting of the priority frequency band 80 can be optimized for each area. In other words, the utilization efficiency of the frequency band can be improved, thereby improving the communication quality of the entire system.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the setting of the priority frequency band 80 is optimized for each divided area, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present embodiment may be applied to a case where the settings of the priority frequency band 80 and the highest priority frequency band 90 are optimized for each divided area. Alternatively, the present embodiment may be applied to a case where there are multiple priority levels for the priority APs.

[0085] 6 Centralized control device 8a Priority AP 8b Priority AP 8c Priority AP 10 Frequency band 10a Frequency band 80 Priority frequency band 100 Wireless communication system

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising a centralized control device and a plurality of APs connected to the centralized control device, wherein the centralized control device is configured to perform the following processes: setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP with a higher priority than other APs; storing a first ratio which is the ratio between the number of general APs that are APs that are not priority APs among the plurality of APs and the number of the priority APs; setting a second ratio which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one of the general APs and the frequency bandwidth used by one of the priority APs; calculating a third ratio which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources usable by the general APs and the number of frequency resources usable by the priority APs based on the first ratio and the second ratio; setting a priority frequency band as a part of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; allocating a frequency band including the priority frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the priority AP; and allocating a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as a wireless resource to be used by the general AP.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the centralized control device is further configured to perform the following processes: detecting interference due to wireless communication originating from wireless devices that are not subject to management; setting an interference frequency band when the interference is detected; obtaining a new frequency band by excluding the set interference frequency band from the usable frequency band; and setting the new frequency band as a new usable frequency band.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the centralized control device is further configured to perform a process of setting the priority frequency band in stages based on the minimum bandwidth to which wireless resources can be allocated and the number of priority APs in the area or the number of priority APs within a mutual interference range.

4. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the centralized control device is further configured to perform the following processes: acquiring information regarding area division; and allocating wireless resources for each area based on the information.

5. A wireless communication method implemented by a centralized control device connected to multiple APs, comprising: setting at least one of the multiple APs as a priority AP having a higher priority than other APs; storing a first ratio which is the ratio between the number of general APs that are APs other than the priority APs among the multiple APs and the number of the priority APs; setting a second ratio which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one of the general APs and the frequency bandwidth used by one of the priority APs; calculating a third ratio which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources usable by the general APs and the number of frequency resources usable by the priority APs based on the first ratio and the second ratio; setting a priority frequency band as a part of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; allocating a frequency band including the priority frequency band as the wireless resources to be used by the priority AP; and allocating a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as the wireless resources to be used by the general AP.

6. A wireless communication device connected to a plurality of APs, configured to perform the following processes: setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP with a higher priority than the other APs; storing a first ratio, which is the ratio between the number of general APs that are not priority APs among the plurality of APs and the number of priority APs; setting a second ratio, which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one of the general APs and the frequency bandwidth used by one of the priority APs; calculating a third ratio, which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources usable by the general APs and the number of frequency resources usable by the priority APs, based on the first ratio and the second ratio; setting a priority frequency band as a part of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; allocating a frequency band including the priority frequency band as the wireless resources to be used by the priority AP; and allocating a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as the wireless resources to be used by the general AP.

7. A wireless communication program to be executed by a wireless communication device having a processor and a memory and connected to a plurality of APs, the program being stored in the memory and computer-readable, and including programs for causing the processor to execute the following processes: setting at least one of the plurality of APs as a priority AP with a higher priority than other APs; storing a first ratio which is the ratio between the number of general APs that are not priority APs among the plurality of APs and the number of the priority APs; setting a second ratio which is the ratio between the frequency bandwidth used by one general AP and the frequency bandwidth used by one priority AP; calculating a third ratio which is the ratio between the number of frequency resources usable by the general APs and the number of frequency resources usable by the priority APs based on the first ratio and the second ratio; setting a priority frequency band as part of the usable frequency band based on the third ratio; allocating a frequency band including the priority frequency band as the wireless resources to be used by the priority AP; and allocating a frequency band excluding the priority frequency band from the usable frequency band as the wireless resources to be used by the general AP.

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