JP2000307601A - Wireless transmission method and wireless transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform transmission with a reserved transmission band through a radio LAN even in the case of interference from another network. SOLUTION: When radio transmission wherein frame cycles of a specific time are prescribed is carried out for radio communication among multiple communication stations, a specific reserved transmission area (specific slot in a 1st information transmission area) in a frame cycle is used for information transmission between specified communication stations and if it is judged that some information transmission from another communication network is carried out when the specific reserved transmission area arrives in a specific frame period, the information transmission between the communication stations specified by the corresponding reserved transmission area is not performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless transmission method suitable for forming a wireless local area network (LAN) between a plurality of devices, and a wireless transmission device to which the transmission method is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, data handled by a plurality of devices such as various video devices and personal computer devices and their peripheral devices can be transmitted within a relatively narrow range such as in a home or office. When establishing a local area network, instead of connecting each device directly with some kind of signal line, connect a wireless signal transmission / reception device (wireless transmission device) to each device so that data can be transmitted by wireless transmission There is.

[0003] By configuring a local area network by wireless transmission, there is no need to directly connect each device with a signal line or the like, and the system configuration can be simplified.

By the way, when a wireless LAN is configured as described above and it is desired to transmit a certain amount of data between two specific wireless transmission devices in the network, a specific transmission band is reserved in advance. However, with respect to the transmission band, there is one that exclusively executes wireless transmission only between the two reserved specific wireless transmission devices. By reserving and using the transmission band in this way, for example, wireless transmission of video data such as a long-term video program can be performed continuously without interruption in the wireless LAN while ensuring real-time properties.

[0005]

In the case where such a wireless LAN is formed, other similar wireless LAs are provided in the vicinity.
Ideally, there is no N, but there are many wireless LANs that actually use the same transmission band. In such a case, it is necessary to take measures to prevent interference between adjacent wireless LANs.

For example, when the above-mentioned transmission band is reserved in one wireless LAN, when an interference with the other wireless LAN occurs within the reserved transmission band, the transmission band is reserved. Of data cannot be used, and data transmission in the prepared reserved transmission band cannot be performed normally. In order to cope with such a situation, it is conceivable that the transmission band to be reserved in advance is a band amount having a certain allowance for the amount of data to be transmitted. In, the transmission band is wasted, and the utilization efficiency of the transmission path is reduced.

It is also conceivable to set a frame of a certain variable length without defining a periodic frame and variably set the frame length according to the transmission state at that time. Since the timing at which the reserved transmission band arrives is also variable, each time it is necessary to receive a signal for managing the frame at each station and confirm the portion to which transmission from the own station is allocated. Is complicated, and if reception of a signal for managing the frame cannot be performed for some reason, there is a problem that transmission in a reserved band cannot be performed.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless LAN of this type, in which transmission after reserving a transmission band can be performed efficiently even when there is interference from another network.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless transmission method for performing wireless communication between a plurality of communication stations by defining a predetermined period of a frame period. The reserved specific transmission area is used for information transmission between designated communication stations, and when the reserved specific transmission area arrives during a specific frame period, some information transmission is performed by another communication network. When it is determined that the transmission has been performed, the information transmission between the communication stations specified in the corresponding reserved transmission area is not performed.

[0010] By performing wireless transmission in this manner, when any information transmission is being performed in another adjacent communication network when a specific transmission area for which transmission is reserved is reached, transmission in the reserved transmission area is performed. It is possible to avoid a temporary stop of information transmission and a transmission error caused by interference from a signal from an adjacent network.

A wireless transmission method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a wireless transmission method for performing wireless communication between a plurality of communication stations by defining a frame period of a predetermined time. First reserved for information transmission between
And a second transmission area used without reservation between all communication stations in the network.

[0012] By performing wireless transmission in this way, information is transmitted between communication stations after a band is reserved in the first transmission area, and is not reserved in the second transmission area. Information transmission is performed as needed. For example, information that cannot be transmitted in the first transmission area for some reason can be transmitted using the second transmission area temporarily.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless transmission apparatus which sets a frame period based on a predetermined signal and sets a specific transmission area reserved in the frame period in advance. A wireless transmission means for transmitting and / or receiving a wireless signal in a specific transmission area set by the setting means; a detection means for detecting information transmission in another communication network from a signal received by the wireless transmission means; And control means for suspending transmission by the wireless transmission means in the frame period when the detection means detects information transmission in another communication network when it is determined that the transmission area has arrived. .

According to this radio transmission apparatus, when the detection means detects that any information transmission is being carried out on another communication network when it reaches the reserved transmission area set by the transmission timing setting means, Control for temporarily suspending transmission of information in the transmission area is performed.

[0015] A wireless transmission apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention sets a frame period based on a predetermined signal and, within the frame period, a first transmission which is previously reserved for transmission with a specific partner.
Transmission timing setting means for setting a transmission area of the second transmission area and a second transmission area in which information is transmitted without being reserved;
Wireless transmission means for transmitting and / or receiving a wireless signal in the first transmission area set by the transmission timing setting means.

According to this wireless transmission apparatus, in the first transmission area set by the first transmission timing setting means, a band is reserved in advance, and information transmission between communication stations is performed. In the transmission area, information is transmitted at any time without being reserved. For example, information that could not be transmitted in the first transmission area due to some factor, for example, by transmission by wireless transmission means, is temporarily used in the second transmission area. It is possible to transmit from the wireless transmission means.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this example, the present invention is applied to a network system configured to transmit and receive video data, audio data, computer data, and the like in a home or a relatively small office, for example. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the network system of the present example, the maximum number of wireless transmission devices constituting the network is predetermined, for example, 1 at the maximum.
One wireless network is configured by six wireless transmission devices. The example of FIG. 1 shows a state where two wireless networks, a first network NT1 and a second network NT2, are arranged adjacent to each other.

The first network NT1 is configured by arranging seven wireless transmission devices 10 to 16 to form a network. Here, the wireless transmission device 10 arranged substantially at the center of the first network NT1 is connected to the network NT1.
1 is a central control station for controlling communication, and the other wireless transmission devices 11 to 16 arranged around the wireless transmission device 10 as the central control station communicate under the control of the central control station. As a terminal station.

The second network NT2 also has a 7
The wireless transmission devices 20 to 26 are arranged to form a network, and the wireless transmission device 20 arranged substantially at the center of the second network NT2 is connected to the network NT2.
A central control station for controlling communication at the terminal, and other wireless transmission devices 21 to 26 disposed around the wireless transmission device 20 as the central control station, for communicating with the terminal under the control of the central control station. There is as a station. In the wireless transmission devices in each network, a network ID assigned to each network is set, and a unique identification ID is set for each transmission device.
Are used to recognize the origin and destination of a signal transmitted.

In each of the networks NT1 and NT2, wireless transmission is performed independently for each network.
Here, it is assumed that the same frequency band is used for transmission in both networks. Here, in the present example, the first network NT1 and the second network NT2 are arranged at some distance from each other, but the wireless transmission device 16 in the first network NT1 and the second network NT
The positional relationship is such that interference occurs with the wireless transmission device 21 in T2. That is, the first network NT
1, when a signal transmitted from the wireless transmission device 16 in the first network NT is received by the wireless transmission device 21 in the second network NT2 and overlaps with a signal wirelessly transmitted in the second network NT2, 21 causes an interference wave. Conversely, a signal transmitted from the wireless transmission device 21 in the second network NT2 is received by the wireless transmission device 16 in the first network NT1,
When the signal overlaps with a signal wirelessly transmitted in the network NT1, the signal becomes an interference wave in the wireless transmission device 16.

Each of the wireless transmission devices 10 to 16 and 20 to 26 includes various information processing devices (not shown) such as a video signal reproducing device, a monitor device, a computer device, and a printer device.
Are individually connected, and when data transmission is required between information processing apparatuses in each network, data transmission is performed in the network via the connected wireless transmission apparatus.

Wireless transmission devices 10-1 constituting each communication station
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of each of the wireless communication devices 6, 20 to 26. Here, each wireless transmission device has a basically common configuration (only a control configuration for functioning as a central control station is different from other communication stations). , An antenna 1 that performs transmission and reception, and a wireless processing unit 2 that is connected to the antenna 1 and performs wireless transmission processing and wireless reception processing, and is configured to perform wireless transmission with another transmission apparatus. . In this case, as a transmission method in which transmission and reception are performed in the wireless processing unit 2 of the present example, for example, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex)
: Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) A transmission method using a multi-carrier signal called a method is applied, and a very high frequency band (for example, a 5 GHz band) is used as a frequency used for transmission and reception, for example. Also, in the case of this example, a relatively weak output is set for the transmission output. For example, when used indoors, the output is set to an extent that enables wireless transmission over a relatively short distance from several meters to several tens of meters. is there.

A data conversion unit 3 performs data conversion of a signal received by the radio processing unit 2 and data conversion of a signal transmitted by the radio processing unit 2. The data converted by the data conversion unit 3 is supplied to the device 7 connected via the interface unit 4, and the data supplied from the connected device 7 is supplied to the data conversion unit 3 via the interface unit 4. And a conversion process.

Each section in the wireless transmission apparatus is configured to execute processing based on control of a control section 5 composed of a microcomputer or the like. In this case, when the signal received by the wireless processing unit 2 is a control signal, the received control signal is supplied to the control unit 5 via the data conversion unit 3, and the control unit 5 receives the received control signal. Each part is set to the state indicated by. Also, a control signal transmitted from the control unit 5 to another transmission device is supplied from the control unit 5 to the wireless processing unit 2 via the data conversion unit 3 and wirelessly transmitted. If the received signal is a synchronization signal, the control unit 5 determines the reception timing of the synchronization signal, sets a frame cycle based on the synchronization signal, and executes communication control processing in the frame cycle. There is a configuration. Further, an internal memory 6 is connected to the control unit 5, and data required for communication control is temporarily stored in the internal memory 6.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a signal transmitted between wireless transmission devices in each network of this embodiment. In this embodiment, data is transmitted by defining a frame period. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, one frame period is defined by a predetermined time, and the one frame period is defined as 16 frames.
Are divided into time slots. Here, 16 slots in one frame include slot # 0, slot # 1,
Slot numbers of slot # 2 and slot # 15 are assigned. Note that the 16 time slots in one frame are not necessarily equally spaced.

Slot # 0 at the beginning of each frame period
Is a management information transmission area. In the management information transmission area, transmission and reception of synchronization data for defining a frame period and data for managing the use state in slots # 1 to # 15 are performed by the central control station. Will be For example, as the usage information in the corresponding frame, the exchange of the bandwidth reservation information of each slot and the connection information between the control station and the terminal station are performed.
Based on transmission path usage information (slot reservation information) transmitted from the central control station in this management information transmission area, a transmission path usage state in the media information transmission area described below is defined.

The slots # 1 to # 15 in each frame period are used as media information transmission areas, and transfer (transmission) of packetized data is performed between communication stations based on access control of the central control station. . Each packetized data is provided with header information including source information, destination information, and the like. In the media information transmission area of the present example, the first half slot is used as a first information transmission area, the second half slot is used as a second information transmission area, and the first information transmission area, the second information transmission area, Therefore, different transmission modes are adopted.

In the first information transmission area, a band to be used (a slot to be used) is reserved under the control of the central control station, and then data transfer is performed in an isochronous (synchronous) transfer mode. In the second information transmission area, data transfer in the asynchronous (asynchronous) transfer mode is performed without reservation of a band. As data transmission in the asynchronous transfer mode, random access control may be performed under distributed management between communication stations, or access control by polling may be performed under control of a control station.

The number of slots used as the first information transmission area and the number of slots used as the second information transmission area in each frame are variably set based on the data transmission request in the network at that time. You. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the boundary between the first information transmission area and the second information transmission area is set between slot # 10 and slot # 11, but the position is set at the central control station. Changes in slot units by the control of. However, at least one slot of the second information transmission area is prepared in one frame.

The use of the isochronous transfer mode and the asynchronous transfer mode depends on the type of data to be transmitted. That is, the isochronous transfer mode is used for transmitting data that requires real-time transfer such as video data and audio data, and the asynchronous transfer mode is used for transmitting relatively short data such as control commands.

Next, after defining the frame structure as described above, the first information transmission area is used in each frame,
A process for transmitting data in the isochronous transfer mode in the reserved band will be described. First, the control station makes a transmission reservation using the management information transmission area, etc.,
It is assumed that a predetermined number of slots in the first information transmission area in one frame are reserved. At this time, data such as the amount of information to be transmitted is transmitted, and a transmission area to be reserved (here, the number of transmission slots) is instructed to the control station. When there is an empty slot in the first information transmission area in one frame, the control station executes a reservation process for allocating the empty slot. When this reservation is executed, the control unit 5 of the wireless transmission apparatus constituting the communication station that has made the reservation performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, it is determined whether or not the transmission area (slot position) reserved by the own station has been reached (step S11).
If it is determined that the transmission area is not the reserved transmission area, the transmission is not performed here. When it is determined that the transmission area has become the reserved transmission area, it is determined whether or not transmission in another network system is detected (step S12). Here, as detection of transmission in other network systems,
For example, the control unit 5 detects and determines the signal received by the wireless processing unit 2, and performs the determination based on the determination as to whether the signal is transmitted from a station other than the network to which the own station belongs.
Specifically, for example, the first network NT shown in FIG.
When one communication station 16 has a transmission from the communication station 21 of the second network NT2 (this transmission is a transmission into the second network), transmission in another network system is detected.

When transmission in another network system is detected in step S12, the process returns to step S11. If transmission in another network system is not detected in step S12, the information supplied from the device (device 7 shown in FIG. 2) connected to the wireless transmission device constituting its own station is transmitted to the wireless processing unit 2. The transmission processing is performed, and wireless transmission is performed from the antenna 1 (step S13). Then, it is determined whether or not the reserved transmission area (slot position) is completed (step S14), and the transmission in step S13 is continued until the reserved transmission area is completed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a frame configuration transmitted by such processing. In this example, eight slots of slots # 3 to # 10 are reserved in the own station as a transmission band, and slots # 1 and # 2 are used for transmission from another station. And after slot # 11,
Another second information transmission area (that is, an asynchronous transmission slot)
It has become.

FIG. 5 shows an example in the case where there is no interference from another network. FIG. 6 shows an example in which transmission from another network system is detected in step S12.
Shown in The example of FIG. 6 is an example of the case of the communication station 16 of the first network NT1, and here, in a specific frame N, the communication station 16 in the second network NT2 during the period of the slots # 1 to # 6. Suppose that there is a transmission from 21. In such a case, the communication station 16 detects the transmission of this signal in step S12 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and repeats the determinations in steps S11 and S12 to transmit the information in step S13. Will wait in a state where is not performed. Then, when the slot # 7 in which transmission from the communication station 21 has been lost has been reached, step S
12, transmission in another network system is no longer detected, and information transmission in step S13 is started.
Information is transmitted at $ 10.

When the transmission using the reserved band (slot) is completed in this way, the control unit 5 of the radio transmission apparatus constituting the communication station that has performed the transmission performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Done. That is, upon detecting that the transmission area reserved by the own station is completed (step S21), it is determined whether or not the transmission (transmission) of the information prepared for transmission in the frame period by the own station is completed. (Step S22). Here, when it is determined that the transmission of the prepared information has been completed, the transmission completion processing ends.

If it is determined in step S22 that the transmission of the prepared information has not been completed, the amount of the insufficient transmission area (here, the number of insufficient slots) is calculated (step S23). In the second information transmission area of the frame N (that is, the asynchronous transmission area),
The packet is transmitted to the central control station as an asynchronous transfer mode packet. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, transmission is performed using slot # 11. In the case of the example of FIG. 6, information for requesting an additional allocation of four slots is transmitted.

When the information for requesting the additional assignment is transmitted, the control unit 5 of the radio transmission apparatus constituting the central control station performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when information for requesting additional allocation is received (step S31), it is determined whether additional allocation is possible based on the number of empty slots in one frame (step S3).
2). If it is determined that additional allocation is possible, a reservation area additional allocation process is performed (step S).
33) Then, information on the additional allocation is broadcast to each communication station in the network in the management area slot # 0 of the next frame N + 1 (step S34).

If it is determined in step S32 that additional allocation is impossible because there is no empty slot, the communication station that has requested the addition is notified that additional allocation is not possible ( Step S35). This notification may be transmitted as a packet in the asynchronous transfer mode in the second information transmission area, or may be transmitted using the management area slot # 0.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a case where a reserved area is additionally allocated in the frame N + 1 next to the frame N in which a failure has occurred in such processing. In this case, the fact that there is a temporary additional allocation of the reserved area is broadcast in the management area slot # 0, and the communication station 16
, The slots # 3 to # 1 already allocated as reserved bands transmitted in the isochronous transfer mode.
In addition to the eight slots of 0, the additionally allocated slot # 1
1 to $ 14 are used, and data transmission for four slot periods that could not be transmitted in the immediately preceding frame period N can be performed. In the period of the frame N + 1, only the slot # 15 is used as the second information transmission area (that is, the area transmitted asynchronously).

When the additional allocation has been made, when the transmission of the frame N + 1 to which the additional allocation has been completed is completed, the control unit 5 of the radio transmission apparatus constituting the central control station is completed.
Performs recovery processing of additional allocation. The flowchart of FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the restoration processing of the additional allocation. First, it is determined whether or not the additional allocation has been completed in this frame (step S41). When the bandwidth (the number of slots) to be additionally allocated is large, it may not be completed only by the additional allocation in one frame. In such a case, the additional allocation is continued also in the next frame period.

If it is determined in step S41 that the additional allocation has been completed, a process of restoring the additionally allocated reserved area to the original area is performed (step S42), and the management area slot # of the next frame N + 2 0, the broadcast is transmitted to each communication station in the network (step S4).
3).

The transmission state shown in FIG. 11 shows an example in which the reserved area for the communication station 16 is returned to the original number of slots in the frame N + 2. In this case, the management area slot # 0 broadcasts that the reserved area is to be restored, and the communication station 16 uses the slot # 0 allocated from the beginning as the reserved band transmitted in the isochronous transfer mode. Only 8 slots from 3 to $ 10 are used, and slots # 11 to # 14 allocated additionally are assigned to the second slot.
To be used as an information transmission area (that is, an area transmitted asynchronously).

As described above, when a fixed frame arriving periodically is constructed and band reservation transmission is performed, a station detecting a signal from another network system or the like transmits information during a corresponding period. By starting reservation transmission only when the signal is not detected and the signal is no longer detected, a network system that does not hinder information transmission in another network is constructed.

In a frequency band in which other network systems coexist, even if there is an asynchronous system in addition to the network of the own station, a network can be constructed coexisting. Here, by prescribing not to start bandwidth reservation transmission when another network system exists, the network to which the own station belongs can be operated without significantly affecting the operation of the other network system. can do.

If the reserved bandwidth reservation transmission cannot be performed, a reserved area is temporarily added so that information that could not be transmitted can be transmitted in a subsequent frame such as the next frame. By allocating, even when performing bandwidth reservation transmission, without causing a large delay,
It is possible to continue transmission while maintaining almost real-time properties.

In the above-described embodiment, when transmission in the reserved band cannot be performed, additional band allocation is performed after the next frame period. For example, the bandwidth that could not be transmitted is short. In this case, some slots in the second transmission area within the same frame period may be temporarily used to transmit information that could not be transmitted in that slot.

FIG. 12 shows an example of processing in a communication station that has reserved a band in this case. That is, when it is detected that the reserved area of each frame period has ended (step S51), it is determined whether or not the transmission of the information prepared for the own station during this frame period has been completed (step S52). When the processing is completed, the processing here ends.
If the transmission of the prepared information has not been completed, the amount of the insufficient transmission area (here, the number of insufficient slots) is calculated (step S53), and the calculated amount of the transmission area is determined by the calculated amount of the current frame. It is determined whether transmission is possible in the second transmission area (asynchronous transmission area) (step S54).

If it is determined that transmission is not possible in the second transmission area, a reservation area additional allocation request as already described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 is made (step S55), and the shortage of transmission is performed in the next and subsequent frame periods. Do. If it is determined in step S54 that transmission is possible in the second transmission area, a packet for asynchronous transmission (that is, a packet transmitted in the asynchronous transfer mode) is transmitted using the information that has not been transmitted. The packet is constructed (step S56), and the constructed packet for asynchronous transmission is transmitted during an empty slot period in the second information transmission area (step S5).
7).

FIG. 13 shows an example of such a case where the packet is transmitted as an asynchronous packet. Here, in a specific frame N, during a period of slots # 1 to # 3,
It is assumed that communication is performed from the communication station 21 in the second network NT2, and the bandwidth reserved by the communication station 16 in the first network NT1 is slots # 3 to # 10. At this time, since the communication station 16 cannot perform transmission for only one slot period of slot # 3, information of the transmission amount for one slot remains. This information for one slot is constructed as a packet for asynchronous transmission, and Any slot in the second information transmission area after # 11 (here slot # 13)
To send.

In this way, by transmitting the missing portion as an asynchronous packet, the insufficient information can be wirelessly transmitted without performing the additional allocation process of the reserved band at the control station, and the complicated transmission control process can be performed. It can be realized without performing.
In this case, the frame period of the data to be transmitted is not delayed, and the real-time property can be maintained.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing for transmitting the information that could not be transmitted due to the interference with other networks as additional allocation of the reserved band or as an asynchronous packet has been described. Information that could not be transmitted in the reserved band may be transmitted in the same process as additional allocation of the reserved band or as an asynchronous packet. That is, when a packet whose transmission amount is variable for each transmission frame is subjected to bandwidth reservation transmission, in a frame with a small transmission amount, transmission is performed only with the allocated reserved band, and in a frame with a large transmission amount, the reserved band is added. Assignment or transmission of asynchronous packets may be performed.

For example, MPEG (Moving Picture Exper)
In the case of video data compression-encoded by the s Group 2) method, the data amount per unit time is not constant, and such processing can be applied. By applying to such processing,
You only need to reserve the minimum bandwidth as the reserved bandwidth,
When the amount of data per unit time is small, the remaining slots in each frame period are set to the maximum as an asynchronous transmission area, and slots prepared in one frame are always efficiently used. Become like

It should be noted that the frame configuration described in the above embodiment is a preferred example,
The present invention is not limited to the frame configuration, and various frame configurations suitable for a transmission system applied to a network system can be applied.

In the above-described embodiment, each network is a system in which wireless communication is performed by each terminal station under the control of the central control station. However, the present invention can also be applied to a distributed network system in which no control station is installed. . However, even when a control station is not provided, a station that transmits synchronization data or the like for defining a frame period is necessary.

[0057]

According to the wireless transmission method of the present invention, when a specific transmission area for which transmission is reserved is reached and some information is being transmitted in another adjacent communication network, the reservation is made. Information transmission in the transmission area is temporarily stopped, so that transmission errors due to interference from signals from adjacent networks can be avoided, and a good transmission state can be ensured after the transmission area is reserved. Disturbance of the transmission state in the reserved area due to the influence of transmission on the network can be avoided.

According to the wireless transmission method described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, when it is determined that information transmission by another communication network has been completed, the designated communication station is set within the reserved transmission area. By starting the information transmission between them, a transmission error is avoided, and the prepared reserved transmission area is used to the maximum.

According to the wireless transmission method described in claim 3, according to the invention described in claim 1, when a prescribed amount of information cannot be transmitted due to suspension of information transmission in the reserved transmission area, In the frame of the above, transmission of the insufficient information amount is performed in an area other than the reserved transmission area, so that transmission can be performed while effectively utilizing an area other than the reserved transmission area of the transmission band used in this communication network. The reserved information can be transmitted reliably.

According to the wireless transmission method described in claim 4, by providing the first transmission area where the area is reserved and information is transmitted, and the second transmission area where the information is transmitted without being reserved, for example, Information that could not be transmitted in the first transmission area for some reason can be transmitted using the second transmission area temporarily, and both transmission areas can be effectively used to achieve efficient transmission. Can be performed.

According to the wireless transmission method described in claim 5, in the invention described in claim 4, the first transmission area is set from the leading part in the information transmission area within the frame period, and the first transmission area is set. By setting the second transmission area in the subsequent part and reporting the information on the transmission status in the first transmission area using the second transmission area, the control station or the like transmits the information in the information transmission area. The status can be checked, and processing such as variably setting the area width of the reserved transmission area according to the transmission state at that time becomes possible.

According to the wireless transmission method described in claim 6, in the invention described in claim 4, the first transmission area is set from the leading part in the information transmission area within the frame period, and the first transmission area is set. By setting a second transmission area in the subsequent part, if the information amount reserved in the first transmission area cannot be transmitted, the insufficient transmission is performed in the second transmission area. By effectively utilizing the second transmission area, it is possible to reliably transmit information reserved for transmission in the first transmission area.

According to the wireless transmission device of the present invention, when the reserved transmission area set by the transmission timing setting means is reached, it is determined by the detection means that some information is being transmitted in another communication network. When the detection is detected, control is performed to temporarily suspend the transmission of information in the reserved transmission area, and a transmission error is prevented from occurring due to interference by a signal from an adjacent network, and then the reserved transmission area is used. A wireless transmission device that can perform good transmission is obtained.

According to the wireless transmission device described in claim 8, in the invention described in claim 7, when the detecting means determines that the information transmission in another communication network is completed,
The control unit starts transmission of a wireless signal in a specific transmission region by the wireless transmission unit, thereby avoiding a transmission error due to interference with another network, and maximizing the prepared reserved transmission region. A wireless transmission device capable of utilizing transmission can be obtained.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the seventh aspect, when the control means suspends transmission, the transmission of the information amount specified by the suspension cannot be performed. By controlling the transmission of the insufficient information amount in a region other than the specific reserved transmission region, the transmission band used in this communication network is effectively utilized in the region other than the reserved transmission region. Thus, a wireless transmission device capable of reliably transmitting information reserved to be transmitted is obtained.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, information which cannot be transmitted while being reserved for some reason in the first transmission area by, for example, transmission by the wireless transmission means is temporarily stored in the second transmission area. The wireless transmission device can transmit the information by effectively using the band prepared in the wireless network.

According to the wireless transmission apparatus described in claim 11, in the invention described in claim 10, the wireless transmission means transmits the transmission status information in the first transmission area to the second transmission area.
In the transmission area, the transmission status in the information transmission area can be confirmed by another transmission device in the network. For example, processing such as variably setting the area width of the reserved transmission area according to the transmission status at that time Is obtained.

According to the wireless transmission apparatus of the twelfth aspect, in the invention of the tenth aspect, it is not possible to transmit the reserved information amount in the transmission of the first transmission area by the wireless transmission means. In this case, the wireless transmission means performs the insufficient transmission in the second transmission area, thereby making effective use of the second transmission area and reliably reserving information reserved for transmission in the first transmission area. A wireless transmission device in which the process of transmitting the data is performed is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a frame configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reservation transmission process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of slot usage when a transmission area is reserved according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where transmission start in a reserved area is postponed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when a reserved transmission area is completed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an additional assignment process in a control station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a temporarily extended slot allocation state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a pass assignment recovery process in a control station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a frame configuration of a restored slot allocation reservation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example when a reserved transmission area is completed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a slot allocation state when a shortage of a reserved area is transmitted by another packet according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... wireless processing unit, 3 ... data conversion unit, 4 ... interface unit, 5 ... control unit, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15,
16, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26: wireless communication station, NT1: first network, NT2: second network

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5K033 AA07 CA12 CA17 CC02 DA17 DB09 DB16 EA02 EA06 5K067 AA03 AA13 BB21 BB44 CC08 DD25 EE71 EE72 GG02

Claims (12)

[Claims] In a wireless transmission method for performing wireless communication between a plurality of communication stations by defining a frame period of a predetermined time, a specific transmission region reserved in the frame period is designated by a designated communication region. It is used for information transmission between stations, and when it is determined that some information transmission is being performed by another communication network when the specific transmission area arrives during a specific frame period, the corresponding reserved transmission A wireless transmission method in which information is not transmitted between the communication stations specified in the area. 2. The wireless transmission method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the information transmission by the other communication network has been completed, the information transmission between the designated communication stations is performed within the reserved transmission area. The wireless transmission method to start. 3. The wireless transmission method according to claim 1, wherein when a prescribed amount of information cannot be transmitted due to suspension of information transmission in the reserved transmission area, an insufficient amount of information is transmitted in a subsequent frame. Wireless transmission method for performing transmission in a region other than the reserved transmission region. 4. A wireless transmission method for performing wireless communication between a plurality of communication stations by defining a frame period of a predetermined time, comprising: transmitting information between communication stations designated in advance within the frame period; A wireless transmission method including a first transmission area to be reserved and a second transmission area to be used without reservation among all communication stations in a network. 5. The wireless transmission method according to claim 4, wherein the first transmission area is set from a leading part in an information transmission area in the frame period, and the first transmission area is set in a part subsequent to the first transmission area. 2 is set, and the information on the transmission status in the first transmission area is
A wireless transmission method for reporting using the second transmission area. 6. The wireless transmission method according to claim 4, wherein the first transmission area is set from a leading part in an information transmission area in the frame period, and the first transmission area is set in a part subsequent to the first transmission area. A wireless transmission method in which the second transmission area is set, and if the amount of information reserved in the first transmission area cannot be transmitted, the insufficient transmission is performed in the second transmission area. 7. A transmission timing setting means for setting a frame period based on a predetermined signal and setting a specific transmission area reserved in advance within the frame period, and Wireless transmission means for transmitting and / or receiving a wireless signal in the transmission area, detection means for detecting information transmission in another communication network from the signal received by the wireless transmission means, and the specific transmission area When it is determined that
A wireless transmission device comprising: a control unit that suspends transmission by the wireless transmission unit in the frame period when the detection unit detects information transmission in another communication network. 8. The wireless transmission device according to claim 7, wherein when the detecting means determines that the information transmission on another communication network has been completed, the control means sets the information within a specific transmission area of the wireless transmitting means. Wireless transmission device for starting transmission of a wireless signal. 9. The wireless transmission device according to claim 7, wherein when the control unit suspends transmission, transmission of an insufficient information amount is performed when transmission of an information amount specified by the suspension cannot be performed. A wireless transmission device that controls execution in an area other than a specific reserved transmission area. 10. A frame period is set based on a predetermined signal, and a first transmission area in which transmission with a specific partner is reserved in advance within the frame period and information is transmitted without being reserved. A transmission timing setting means for setting a second transmission area to be set, and a wireless transmission means for transmitting and / or receiving a radio signal in the first transmission area set by the transmission timing setting means. Transmission equipment. 11. The wireless transmission device according to claim 10, wherein said wireless transmission means performs transmission of transmission status information in said first transmission region in said second transmission region. 12. The wireless transmission apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, when the reserved amount of information cannot be transmitted in the transmission of the first transmission area by the wireless transmission means, the wireless transmission means is activated. A wireless transmission device for transmitting a shortage in the second transmission area.