Communication control device, communication control method and communication control program

Abstract

In order to make it possible to reduce the possibility of being unable to communicate with a communication partner in optical wireless communication, this communication control device receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication started between a first communication device and a second communication device, and if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication has not been established, performs control to change a communication scheme used by the first communication device for data transmission by the optical wireless communication.

Description

Communication control device, communication control method, and communication control program

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

[0002] Wireless communication by light is used, for example, for transmitting and receiving data between communication devices mounted on artificial satellites (hereinafter referred to as satellites). Wireless communication by light is hereinafter referred to as optical wireless communication.

[0003] Regarding the technology related to optical wireless communication in satellites, for example, there is the technology described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a relay satellite that relays communication between a plurality of satellites and a ground station. In this technology, optical wireless communication is used for communication between the relay satellite and other satellites.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-093658

[0005] In optical wireless communication, if the communication method in the transmission and reception of optical signals is different between the communication device on the transmission side and the communication device on the reception side, it is difficult to establish communication. Specifically, when the communication method used by the transmission-side communication device for transmitting an optical signal is different from the communication method used by the reception-side communication device for receiving an optical signal, synchronization between the transmission-side communication device and the reception-side communication device cannot be achieved, and communication cannot be established. The technology described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the problems caused by the inconsistency of the communication method.

[0006] The communication method is a communication method used for transmitting and receiving optical signals. Specifically, the communication method includes the bit rate of the baseband signal, the modulation method, the symbol rate at the time of modulation, the coding method, the frequency of the optical carrier wave, and the like.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication control device, a communication control method, and a communication control program that can reduce the possibility of being unable to communicate with a communication partner in optical wireless communication.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the communication control device includes receiving means for receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device, and control means for performing control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission by optical wireless communication if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication control method includes a communication control device that receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device, and if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established, the first communication device performs control to change the communication method used for data transmission by optical wireless communication.

[0010] In another aspect of this disclosure, the communication control program enables a computer to implement a receiving function that receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device, and a control function that, if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established, performs control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for transmitting data by optical wireless communication.

[0011] According to this disclosure, it becomes possible to reduce the possibility of being unable to communicate with the communication partner in optical wireless communication.

[0012] This figure shows an example configuration of the communication control device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example operation flow of the communication control device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example of a group of devices related to the communication control device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example configuration of the first communication device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example configuration of the second communication device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example configuration of the communication control device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example operation flow of the communication control device of this disclosure. This figure shows an example hardware configuration of each embodiment of this disclosure.

[0013] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of this disclosure will be described.

[0014] Furthermore, a specific example of the communication control device 10 in the first embodiment is the communication control device 20 in the second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0015] First, an example of the configuration of the communication control device 10 will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication control device 10. The communication control device 10 includes a receiving unit 11 and a control unit 12.

[0016] The receiving unit 11 receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between the first communication device and the second communication device. If the communication status information indicates that optical wireless communication was not established, the control unit 12 performs control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission via optical wireless communication.

[0017] Next, an example of the operation flow of the communication control device 10 will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of the operation flow of the communication control device 10.

[0018] The receiving unit 11 receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between the first communication device and the second communication device (step S101). If the communication status information indicates that optical wireless communication was not established, the control unit 12 performs control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission via optical wireless communication (step S102).

[0019] As described above, in the first embodiment of this disclosure, the communication control device 10 includes a receiving unit 11 and a control unit 12. The receiving unit 11 receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between the first communication device and the second communication device. If the communication status information indicates that optical wireless communication has not been established, the control unit 12 controls the first communication device to change the communication method used for data transmission by optical wireless communication. This changes the communication method of the first communication device when the communication methods used for optical wireless communication between the first communication device and the second communication device do not match. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of being unable to communicate with the communication partner in optical wireless communication.

[0020] [Second Embodiment] Next, a communication control device 20 in a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the communication control device 20 in the second embodiment is a specific example of the communication control device 10 in the first embodiment.

[0021] First, Figure 3 shows an example of a group of devices related to the communication control device 20.

[0022] The first communication device 40 is a device that performs wireless communication using light (optical wireless communication). The first communication device 40 may be located in outer space, for example. The first communication device 40 may be included in a satellite 61, for example. Satellite 61 is an artificial satellite. The first communication device 40 may be included in a spacecraft, for example. The first communication device 40 may also be located on the ground or elsewhere, outside of outer space.

[0023] The second communication device 50 is a device that performs optical wireless communication. The second communication device 50 is also the communication partner of the first communication device 40. The number of communication devices that can be the second communication device 50 may be two or more. The second communication device 50 is the communication device that the first communication device 40 initiates communication with, among the communication devices that can be the second communication device 50. The second communication device 50 may exist, for example, in outer space. The second communication device 50 may be included, for example, in a satellite 62. Satellite 62 is an artificial satellite. The second communication device 50 may be included, for example, in a spacecraft. The second communication device 50 may also exist outside of outer space, such as on the ground.

[0024] The communication control device 20 is connected to the first communication device 40. The communication control device 20 controls the first communication device 40. A device similar to the communication control device 20 may also be connected to the second communication device 50. Alternatively, the communication control device 20 may be included in the first communication device 40. In Figure 3, the communication control device 20 is included in the satellite 61. The communication control device 20 may be located in outer space. The communication control device 20 may be included in, for example, a spacecraft. Alternatively, the communication control device 20 may be located outside of outer space, such as on the ground.

[0025] Figure 4 shows an example configuration of the first communication device 40. The first communication device 40 includes communication means 41-1 to 41-N (where N is an integer of 1 or more). The first communication device 40 also includes a switching unit 42 and an antenna 43. The switching unit 42 and the antenna 43 may be located outside the first communication device 40.

[0026] Communication means 41-i (where i is an integer from 1 to N) performs optical wireless communication. Each of communication means 41-1 to 41-N uses a different communication method for wireless communication. The modulation methods of communication means 41-1 to 41-N may all be the same, or communication means using different modulation methods may be included in communication means 41-1 to 41-N. Furthermore, communication means 41-1 to 41-N may include communication means that use a single communication method. Furthermore, communication means 41-1 to 41-N may include communication means with a variable communication method. Communication means with a variable communication method use a communication method specified by the communication control device 20 from among several options. For example, communication means with a variable communication method may change the communication method by multiplying or dividing the clock rate of the clock used for transmitting and receiving signals in optical wireless communication. The clock rate is the frequency of the clock used as a reference for the timing of transmitting and receiving signals, such as the bit rate of the baseband signal, the symbol rate during modulation, or the frequency of the optical carrier wave. Furthermore, for example, a communication means with a variable communication method may change its communication method by changing the modulation scheme or coding rate.

[0027] The communication method refers to the method of communication used for transmitting and receiving signals in optical wireless communication. Specifically, the communication method includes the bit rate of the baseband signal, the modulation method, the symbol rate during modulation, the encoding method, and the frequency of the optical carrier wave. Furthermore, the communication means 41-i uses the same communication method for both transmitting and receiving optical signals.

[0028] Furthermore, when the communication means 41-i is used for optical wireless communication, it measures the communication status of the optical wireless communication. The communication means 41-i also outputs communication status information indicating the communication status at predetermined intervals, such as predetermined time intervals. The communication status information will be described later.

[0029] The switching unit 42 switches the communication means used for optical wireless communication by the first communication device 40. The switching unit 42 connects one of the communication means 41-1 to 41-N to the antenna 43. Note that if the first communication device 40 includes only one communication means (i.e., N=1), the first communication device 40 does not need to include the switching unit 42. The switching unit 42 may be an optical switch or a switching means other than an optical switch. The optical switch may be any type of optical switch, such as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) type, a mechanical type, or a waveguide type. The switching unit 42 may also switch the communication means used for optical wireless communication by the first communication device 40 by turning on the light source included in the communication means used for optical wireless communication and turning off the other light sources among the light sources included in the communication means 41-1 to 41-N, in response to control from the communication control device 20. In this case, the switching unit 42 may include a coupler and control means for controlling the light source.

[0030] Next, Figure 5 shows an example configuration of the second communication device 50. The second communication device 50 includes a communication means 51 and an antenna 53. The antenna 53 may be located outside the second communication device 50. Also, the second communication device 50 may have the same configuration as the first communication device 40.

[0031] The communication means 51 performs optical wireless communication. Furthermore, the communication means 51 uses the same communication method for both transmitting and receiving optical signals.

[0032] The first communication device 40 starts transmitting data to the second communication device 50 using one of the communication means 41-1 to 41-N. The timing of the data transmission from the first communication device 40 to the second communication device 50 may be determined by the first communication device 40 or scheduled by another device, such as a ground station.

[0033] Furthermore, the data transmitted from the first communication device 40 to the second communication device 50 can be any type of data. For example, the data may be actual data that is scheduled to be transmitted from the first communication device 40 to the second communication device 50, or it may be data other than actual data, such as data for confirming communication with the second communication device 50. For example, the data may be a request from the first communication device 40 to the second communication device 50.

[0034] Furthermore, when the first communication device 40 performs optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50, it directs the transmission direction of the optical signal toward the second communication device 50. More specifically, the first communication device 40 directs the transmission direction of the optical signal toward the second communication device 50 based on the position information of the satellite 62 on which the second communication device 50 is mounted. The first communication device 40 may receive the position information of the satellite 62 from a ground station. The first communication device 40 may also receive information on the transmission direction of the optical signal from a ground station. The first communication device 40 may also calculate the transmission direction of the optical signal from the orbital information of satellites 61 and 62, respectively.

[0035] Next, Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of the communication control device 20. The communication control device 20 includes a receiving unit 21 and a control unit 22.

[0036] The receiving unit 21 receives communication status information from the first communication device 40. The communication status information indicates the communication status of the optical wireless communication initiated between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50. The receiving unit 21 receives the communication status information, for example, via an internal bus interface, a shared memory interface, a dedicated data transfer interface, etc. The receiving unit 21 may also receive the communication status information via a wireless communication interface.

[0037] The first communication device 40 initiates optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 using one of the communication means 41-1 to 41-N. The first communication device 40 initiates optical wireless communication by transmitting data to the second communication device 50. Specifically, the first communication device 40 attempts to establish optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 by starting to transmit optical signals using the initially configured communication method. In this process, the first communication device 40 transmits data such as a specific data pattern for communication confirmation and a portion of the actual data that it intends to transmit. The first communication device 40 then transmits communication status information to the communication control device 20.

[0038] The communication status information may include, for example, establishment information indicating that optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 was not established. The establishment information may also include, for example, information indicating that data could not be received from the second communication device 50 even after a predetermined time had elapsed since the start of optical wireless communication.

[0039] Furthermore, the communication status information may include synchronization information indicating the synchronization status of the optical wireless communication. The synchronization information indicates whether the first communication device 40 is synchronized with the received signal. The synchronization information includes information on at least one of carrier synchronization and symbol synchronization.

[0040] If the communication methods used for transmitting and receiving optical signals differ between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50, the first communication device 40 cannot synchronize with the optical signal transmitted by the second communication device 50. Therefore, if the synchronization information indicates that the device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of optical wireless communication, it may be determined that optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 has not been established.

[0041] Furthermore, the communication status information may also include signal strength information indicating the received signal strength (RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)).

[0042] When the synchronization information indicates that the RSSI is greater than or equal to the threshold but not synchronized with the received signal, it is presumed that the communication methods between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50 are different. Therefore, when the synchronization information indicates that the RSSI is greater than or equal to the threshold but not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication, it may be determined that the optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 has not been established.

[0043] Whether the optical wireless communication between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50 is established may be determined by the receiving unit 21 or may be determined by the first communication device 40. When determined by the first communication device 40, the communication status information includes the result of the determination by the first communication device 40 as establishment information. The first communication device 40 may determine whether the optical wireless communication is established based on the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication or may be based on the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication and the received signal strength.

[0044] In addition, the communication status information may include communication quality information indicating the communication quality. The communication quality information may include error rate information indicating the BER (Bit Error Rate). Also, the communication quality information may include information on the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio). When the communication quality deteriorates while the first communication device 40 is synchronized with the received signal, although the communication methods match and the communication is established, it is presumed that the communication quality deteriorates due to the deterioration of the communication environment.

[0045] When the communication status information indicates that optical wireless communication has not been established, the control unit 22 controls the first communication device 40 to change the communication method used for data transmission via optical wireless communication. The changed communication method is selected from the communication methods available to the communication means 41-1 to 41-N. The control unit 22 may select the changed communication methods in a predetermined order or randomly. For example, the control unit 22 may select the changed communication methods from the communication methods available to the communication means 41-1 to 41-N in order of decreasing clock rate. The information on the communication methods available to the communication means 41-1 to 41-N is stored in an internal or external storage means (not shown) of the communication control device 20.

[0046] If the selected communication method is one in which the communication means used before the change in communication method is available, the control unit 22 instructs the communication means to change the communication method. The instruction to change the communication method to the communication means can be carried out, for example, by transmitting a control signal via the internal bus, controlling via a dedicated control interface, or writing control information to shared memory. If the selected communication method is one in which a different communication means than the one used before the change in communication method is available, the control unit 22 controls the switching unit 42 to change the communication means used by the first communication device 40 for optical wireless communication.

[0047] In this way, if communication is not established, the communication method used by the first communication device 40 is changed, thereby increasing the likelihood that the communication method used by the first communication device 40 will match the communication method used by the second communication device 50. Therefore, in optical wireless communication, the possibility that the first communication device 40 cannot communicate with the second communication device 50 can be reduced. Furthermore, even if the second communication device 50 uses a single communication method, the possibility of communication failure can be reduced.

[0048] In addition, when the optical wireless communication between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50 is established, the control unit 22 may store in the storage means information on the correspondence relationship between the identification information of the second communication device 50 and the communication method in which the optical wireless communication has been established. Then, when the first communication device 40 starts optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 from a state where the optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 has not been established, the control unit 22 may specify the communication method used by the first communication device 40 based on this correspondence relationship information.

[0049] Also, even if optical wireless communication is attempted using all or a predetermined part of the communication methods available to the first communication device 40, it may not be possible to establish the optical wireless communication. In such a case, the control unit 22 may notify, for example, a ground station or the like that the optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50 cannot be established.

[0050] In addition, the control unit 22 may change the communication method according to the communication quality after the optical wireless communication between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50 is established. For example, when the communication quality deteriorates, the clock rate used by the first communication device 40 may be decreased. Generally, if the communication path environment is the same, the lower the clock rate, the better the communication quality. Therefore, by decreasing the clock rate when the communication quality deteriorates, the possibility of maintaining communication can be improved. The communication quality may be determined to have deteriorated, for example, when the BER becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value.

[0051] Note that when changing the communication method after the optical wireless communication is established, it is also necessary to change the communication method used by the second communication device 50. Therefore, the control unit 22 may first cause the first communication device 40 to notify the second communication device 50 of the change in the communication method via the optical wireless communication. Then, after the first communication device 40 receives a response from the second communication device 50, the control unit 22 may change the communication method used by the first communication device 40.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 22 may change the communication means used by the first communication device 40 to another communication means if an operational abnormality occurs in the communication means used by the first communication device 40 for optical wireless communication. An operational abnormality may be detected, for example, by the receiving unit 21 receiving an alert transmitted by the first communication device 40. Alternatively, an operational abnormality may be detected by monitoring means that monitor the current used by the first communication device 40. An operational abnormality may occur, for example, due to a failure of the communication means caused by the effects of radiation.

[0053] Next, an example of the operation flow of the communication control device 20 will be explained using Figure 7.

[0054] First, the receiving unit 21 receives communication status information from the first communication device 40 (step S201). At this time, the first communication device 40 has started optical wireless communication with the second communication device 50, for example, using the initially set communication method.

[0055] Next, the control unit 22 determines whether or not optical wireless communication has been established based on the received communication status information (step S202).

[0056] If it is determined that optical wireless communication has not been established (NO in step S202), the control unit 22 performs control to change the communication method used by the first communication device 40 for data transmission via optical wireless communication (step S206).

[0057] Furthermore, after the communication method is changed, the control unit 22 instructs the first communication device 40 to start optical wireless communication using the changed communication method (step S207). The communication control device 20 then repeats the operation from step S201 until optical wireless communication is established. The communication control device 20 may terminate the repetition if optical wireless communication is not established using all of the available communication methods, or a predetermined selection of communication methods.

[0058] If it is determined that optical wireless communication has been established (YES in step S202), the receiving unit 21 continues to receive communication status information from the first communication device 40 (step S203).

[0059] If the control unit 22 determines that the communication quality has deteriorated based on the communication status information (YES in step S204), it instructs the first communication device 40 to notify the second communication device 50 of a change in the communication method (step S205). After the notification, the control unit 22 changes the communication method used by the first communication device 40 for optical wireless communication (step S206). After the change in the communication method, the control unit 22 instructs the first communication device 40 to start optical wireless communication using the changed communication method (step S207).

[0060] If the communication quality has not deteriorated (NO in step S204), the operation from step S203 is repeated.

[0061] As described above, in the second embodiment of this disclosure, the communication control device 20 includes a receiving unit 21 and a control unit 22. The receiving unit 21 receives communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50. If the communication status information indicates that optical wireless communication has not been established, the control unit 22 controls the first communication device 40 to change the communication method used for data transmission by optical wireless communication. This changes the communication method of the first communication device 40 when the communication methods used for optical wireless communication between the first communication device 40 and the second communication device 50 do not match. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of being unable to communicate with the communication partner in optical wireless communication.

[0062] [Hardware Configuration Example] An example of a hardware resource configuration in which the communication control devices (10, 20) in each embodiment of the present disclosure described above are implemented using a single information processing device (computer) will be explained. Note that the communication control device may be implemented using at least two information processing devices, either physically or functionally. Furthermore, the communication control device may be implemented as a dedicated device. Also, only some of the functions of the communication control device may be implemented using an information processing device.

[0063] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device capable of realizing the communication control device of each embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, an arithmetic unit 93, a storage device 94, a non-volatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

[0064] For example, the receiving unit 11 and control unit 12 in Figure 1 can be implemented using a communication interface 91 and a computing device 93.

[0065] The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the communication control device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device by wire and / or wireless. If the communication control device is implemented using at least two information processing devices, these devices may be connected via the communication interface 91 to enable mutual communication.

[0066] The input / output interface 92 is a human-machine interface such as a keyboard, which is an example of an input device, or a display, which is an output device.

[0067] The arithmetic unit 93 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or microprocessor, and multiple electrical circuits. The arithmetic unit 93 can, for example, read various programs stored in the non-volatile memory device 95 into the memory device 94 and execute processing according to the read program.

[0068] The storage device 94 is a memory device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be accessed by the arithmetic unit 93, and stores programs and various data. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

[0069] The non-volatile storage device 95 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or flash memory, and is capable of storing various programs and data.

[0070] The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes data reading and writing to the recording medium 97, which will be described later.

[0071] The recording medium 97 is any recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disc, magneto-optical disc, or semiconductor flash memory.

[0072] Each embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented, for example, by configuring a communication control device with an information processing device 90 illustrated in Figure 8, and supplying this communication control device with a program capable of realizing the functions described in each embodiment above.

[0073] In this case, the embodiment can be realized by having the arithmetic unit 93 execute the program supplied to the communication control device. Furthermore, it is also possible to configure only some, rather than all, of the functions of the communication control device in the information processing device 90.

[0074] Furthermore, the above program may be recorded on the recording medium 97, and the communication control device may be configured such that the program is stored in the non-volatile storage device 95 as appropriate during the shipping stage or operation stage of the communication control device. In this case, the method of supplying the above program may be to install it into the communication control device using an appropriate jig during the manufacturing stage before shipping or during the operation stage. Alternatively, the method of supplying the above program may be to use a general procedure such as downloading it from an external source via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0075] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0076] (Note 1) A communication control device comprising: receiving means for receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device; and control means for performing control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission by optical wireless communication when the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established.

[0077] (Note 2) The communication control device according to Note 1, wherein the first communication device includes a plurality of communication means, and the control to change the communication method is performed by changing the communication means used by the first communication device for optical wireless communication.

[0078] (Note 3) The communication control device described in Note 2, wherein the control to change the communication method is performed by controlling the optical switch.

[0079] (Note 4) The communication control device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the communication status information includes synchronization information indicating the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication, and the control to change the communication method is performed when the synchronization information indicates that the first communication device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication.

[0080] (Note 5) The communication status information includes synchronization information indicating the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication and signal strength information indicating the received signal strength of the optical wireless communication, and the control to change the communication method is performed when the received signal strength is above a threshold and the synchronization information indicates that the first communication device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication, as described in any one of Notes 1 to 3.

[0081] (Note 6) The communication control device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the communication status information includes establishment information indicating that the optical wireless communication was not established.

[0082] (Note 7) The communication control device according to Note 6, wherein the established information includes information indicating that data could not be received from the second communication device even after a predetermined time had elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication.

[0083] (Note 8) The communication control device described in Note 6, wherein the establishment information includes the result of a determination of whether or not the optical wireless communication has been established, and the determination is made based on the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication.

[0084] (Note 9) The communication control device according to Note 6, wherein the establishment information includes the result of a determination of whether or not the optical wireless communication has been established, and the determination is made based on the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication and the received signal strength of the optical wireless communication.

[0085] (Note 10) The control means changes the communication method when the communication quality of the optical wireless communication deteriorates after the optical wireless communication has been established, as described in any one of Notes 1 to 9.

[0086] (Note 11) The first communication device is a communication control device included in an artificial satellite, as described in any one of Notes 1 to 10.

[0087] (Note 12) The communication control device is the communication control device described in Note 11, which is included in the artificial satellite.

[0088] (Note 13) A communication control method comprising: a communication control device receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device; and, if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established, the first communication device performing control to change the communication method used for data transmission by optical wireless communication.

[0089] (Note 14) A communication control program that enables a computer to implement a receiving function for receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device, and a control function for performing control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission by optical wireless communication if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established.

[0090] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Appendices 2 to 12, which are dependent on Appendice 1 above, may also be dependent on Appendices 13 and 14 in the same way as those described in Appendices 2 to 12. Moreover, not limited to Appendices 1, 13, and 14, some or all of the configurations described as appendices may also be dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, without departing from the embodiments described above.

[0091] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure can be made as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0092] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-008920, filed on 22 January 2025, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

[0093] 10, 20 Communication control device 11, 21 Receiving unit 12, 22 Control unit 40 First communication device 50 Second communication device 61, 62 Satellite 90 Information processing device 91 Communication interface 92 Input / output interface 93 Arithmetic unit 94 Storage device 95 Non-volatile storage device 96 Drive device 97 Recording medium

Claims

1. A communication control device comprising: receiving means for receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device; and control means for performing control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission by optical wireless communication if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the first communication device includes a plurality of communication means, and the control to change the communication method is performed by changing the communication means used by the first communication device for optical wireless communication.

3. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the control to change the communication method is performed by controlling the optical switch.

4. The communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication status information includes synchronization information indicating the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication, and the control to change the communication method is performed when the synchronization information indicates that the first communication device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication.

5. The communication status information includes synchronization information indicating the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication and signal strength information indicating the received signal strength of the optical wireless communication, and the control to change the communication method is performed when the received signal strength is above a threshold and the synchronization information indicates that the first communication device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication status information includes establishment information indicating that the optical wireless communication was not established.

7. The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein the established information includes information indicating that data could not be received from the second communication device even after a predetermined time had elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication.

8. The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein the establishment information includes the result of a determination of whether or not the optical wireless communication has been established, and the determination is made based on the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication.

9. The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein the establishment information includes the result of a determination of whether or not the optical wireless communication has been established, and the determination is made based on the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication and the received signal strength of the optical wireless communication.

10. The communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control means changes the communication method when the communication quality of the optical wireless communication deteriorates after the optical wireless communication has been established.

11. The first communication device is included in an artificial satellite, and is a communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The communication control device according to claim 11, wherein the communication control device is included in the artificial satellite.

13. A communication control method comprising: a communication control device receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device; and, if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established, the first communication device performing control to change the communication method used for data transmission by optical wireless communication.

14. The communication control method according to claim 13, wherein the first communication device includes a plurality of communication means, and the control to change the communication method is performed by changing the communication means used by the first communication device for optical wireless communication.

15. The communication control method according to claim 14, wherein the control to change the communication method is performed by controlling the optical switch.

16. The communication control method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the communication status information includes synchronization information indicating the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication, and the control to change the communication method is performed when the synchronization information indicates that the first communication device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication.

17. The communication status information includes synchronization information indicating the synchronization state of the optical wireless communication and signal strength information indicating the received signal strength of the optical wireless communication, and the control to change the communication method is performed when the received signal strength is above a threshold and the synchronization information indicates that the first communication device is not synchronized with the received signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication, according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

18. The communication control method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the communication status information includes establishment information indicating that the optical wireless communication was not established.

19. The communication control method according to claim 18, wherein the established information includes information indicating that data could not be received from the second communication device even after a predetermined time had elapsed since the start of the optical wireless communication.

20. A communication control program that enables a computer to implement a receiving function for receiving communication status information indicating the communication status of optical wireless communication initiated between a first communication device and a second communication device, and a control function for performing control to change the communication method used by the first communication device for data transmission by optical wireless communication if the communication status information indicates that the optical wireless communication was not established.

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