JP5685011B2 - Radio relay apparatus and power saving control method - Google Patents

Radio relay apparatus and power saving control method Download PDF

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JP5685011B2
JP5685011B2 JP2010146401A JP2010146401A JP5685011B2 JP 5685011 B2 JP5685011 B2 JP 5685011B2 JP 2010146401 A JP2010146401 A JP 2010146401A JP 2010146401 A JP2010146401 A JP 2010146401A JP 5685011 B2 JP5685011 B2 JP 5685011B2
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wireless lan
wireless
lan terminal
relay device
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健悟 永田
健悟 永田
誠 梅内
誠 梅内
朗 岸田
朗 岸田
健史 平栗
健史 平栗
朋浩 徳安
朋浩 徳安
眞部　利裕
利裕 眞部
北條　博史
博史 北條
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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
    • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

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Description

本発明は、ＬＡＮ側の無線ＬＡＮ端末と、ＷＡＮ側の複数のアクセスネットワークとの間で中継処理を行う無線中継装置および省電力制御方法に関する。   The present invention relates to a wireless relay apparatus and a power saving control method for performing relay processing between a wireless LAN terminal on a LAN side and a plurality of access networks on a WAN side.

図８は、無線中継装置の構成例を示す（特許文献１）。
図８において、無線中継装置１０は、ＷＡＮ側のアクセスネットワークである無線ＬＡＮ基地局ＡＰに接続するＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１と、同様にアクセスネットワークである携帯電話基地局ＢＳに接続するＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部１２を備え、ＬＡＮ側で無線ＬＡＮ端末２０に接続するＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３を備え、ＷＡＮ側回線の接続切替を制御する制御部１４を備える。記憶部１５は、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３に接続する無線ＬＡＮ端末２０の情報を格納し、制御部１４は記憶部１５を参照することにより接続中の無線ＬＡＮ端末２０を認識する。 FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of a wireless relay device (Patent Document 1).
In FIG. 8, a wireless relay device 10 includes a WAN side wireless LAN connection unit 11 connected to a wireless LAN base station AP which is a WAN side access network, and a WAN side connected to a mobile phone base station BS which is also an access network. A cellular phone connection unit 12 is provided, a LAN side wireless LAN connection unit 13 that is connected to the wireless LAN terminal 20 on the LAN side, and a control unit 14 that controls connection switching of the WAN side line. The storage unit 15 stores information on the wireless LAN terminal 20 connected to the LAN side wireless LAN connection unit 13, and the control unit 14 refers to the storage unit 15 to recognize the connected wireless LAN terminal 20.

無線通信装置１０の制御部１４は、例えばＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１で無線ＬＡＮ基地局ＡＰからの受信レベルを検出し、当該受信レベルが閾値を超えていれば無線ＬＡＮエリア内と判別し、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３とＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１を接続する。これにより、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３に接続される無線ＬＡＮ端末２０は、無線通信装置１０を介して無線ＬＡＮ基地局ＡＰに接続される。一方、当該受信レベルが閾値以下であれば無線ＬＡＮエリア外（携帯電話エリア）と判別し、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３とＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部１２を接続する。これにより、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３に接続される無線ＬＡＮ端末２０は、無線通信装置１０を介して携帯電話基地局ＢＳに接続される。以上のＷＡＮ側の切り替えは、ＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ回線の受信レベルに応じて自動的に行われる。   For example, the control unit 14 of the wireless communication device 10 detects the reception level from the wireless LAN base station AP at the WAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 11, and determines that the reception level is within the wireless LAN area if the reception level exceeds a threshold value. The LAN side wireless LAN connection unit 13 and the WAN side wireless LAN connection unit 11 are connected. As a result, the wireless LAN terminal 20 connected to the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13 is connected to the wireless LAN base station AP via the wireless communication device 10. On the other hand, if the reception level is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the wireless LAN area is outside (mobile phone area), and the LAN side wireless LAN connection unit 13 and the WAN side mobile phone connection unit 12 are connected. As a result, the wireless LAN terminal 20 connected to the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13 is connected to the mobile phone base station BS via the wireless communication device 10. The above switching on the WAN side is automatically performed according to the reception level of the WAN side wireless LAN line.

なお、ＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ回線とＷＡＮ側携帯電話回線の通信品質を比較し、無線通信装置１０の位置が無線ＬＡＮエリア内か無線ＬＡＮエリア外かを判別し、接続先を選択するようにしてもよい。また、ＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部１２は、ＷｉＭＡＸ（Worldwide interoperability for microwave access)基地局に接続するＷＡＮ側ＷｉＭＡＸ接続部であっても同様であるが、本明細書では移動通信回線の１つである携帯電話に接続する例を用いて説明する。   The communication quality of the WAN-side wireless LAN line and the WAN-side mobile phone line is compared, it is determined whether the position of the wireless communication device 10 is within the wireless LAN area or outside the wireless LAN area, and the connection destination is selected. Good. The WAN-side mobile phone connection unit 12 is the same as the WAN-side WiMAX connection unit that connects to a WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for microwave access) base station. In this specification, the WAN-side mobile phone connection unit 12 is one of mobile communication lines. A description will be given using an example of connection to a mobile phone.

また、近年はパソコンやＰＤＡだけでなく、携帯電話、ゲーム機、ディジタルカメラ等にも無線ＬＡＮが搭載されている。無線中継装置１０は、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３を無線ＬＡＮ基地局として機能させることにより、これらの機器を様々なアクセスネットワークに接続させることが可能になる。特に、無線ＬＡＮ端末２０が最も普及しているIEEE802.11b 規格に準拠した機器であっても、ＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１として、最新の無線ＬＡＮ技術である高速化技術（IEEE802.11a,g,n)や QoSサポート技術（IEEE802.11e)等を利用することにより、より高速で安定した無線ＬＡＮ接続が可能となる。   In recent years, not only personal computers and PDAs but also mobile phones, game machines, digital cameras and the like are equipped with wireless LAN. The wireless relay device 10 can connect these devices to various access networks by causing the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13 to function as a wireless LAN base station. In particular, even if the wireless LAN terminal 20 is a device that conforms to the most popular IEEE802.11b standard, the WAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 11 has a high-speed technology (IEEE802.11a, g) that is the latest wireless LAN technology. , n), QoS support technology (IEEE802.11e), and the like, a faster and more stable wireless LAN connection becomes possible.

特開２０１０−０２１８７８号公報JP 2010-021878 A

ところで、無線中継装置１０の使い方として、無線中継装置１０を電源ＯＮのまま鞄等に入れ、無線ＬＡＮ端末２０は携帯して持ち歩きながら必要なときに電源ＯＮにして起動し、無線中継装置１０を介してＷＡＮ側の無線ＬＡＮ回線または携帯電話回線に接続し、さらにネットワークに接続することがある。このとき、無線中継装置１０は、常に最適なＷＡＮ側回線を選択するように動作しており電力が消費される。そのため、バッテリー駆動の無線中継装置１０がバッテリー不足となり、無線ＬＡＮ端末２０の要求に応じてネットワークに接続できないなど、実際に使用できる時間が短くなる問題があった。   By the way, as a method of using the wireless relay device 10, the wireless relay device 10 is put in a bag or the like with the power turned on, and the wireless LAN terminal 20 is turned on and started up when necessary while carrying and carrying the wireless relay device 10. In some cases, the wireless LAN line or the cellular phone line on the WAN side is connected to the network and further connected to the network. At this time, the wireless relay device 10 operates so as to always select the optimum WAN side line and consumes power. For this reason, there is a problem that the battery-operated wireless relay device 10 runs out of battery and cannot be connected to the network in response to a request from the wireless LAN terminal 20, thereby shortening the actual usable time.

本発明は、無線ＬＡＮ端末の接続状態に応じて消費電力を抑制し、使用時間の長期化を図ることができる無線中継装置および省電力制御方法を提供することを目的とする。   An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless relay device and a power saving control method capable of suppressing power consumption according to a connection state of a wireless LAN terminal and prolonging usage time.

第１の発明は、ＷＡＮ側の複数の無線通信回線の１つを選択し、その無線通信回線に接続されるネットワークとＬＡＮ側で無線ＬＡＮ接続される無線ＬＡＮ端末との中継処理を行う無線中継装置において、無線ＬＡＮ端末の接続状態を監視し、無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されているときは無線中継装置の全機能を動作させる通常動作に設定し、無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されていないときは無線中継装置の一部の機能を休止させ、かつ他の一部の機能に対して、アクティブ期間とスリープ期間を所定の周期で繰り返す間欠動作をさせる省電力動作に設定する省電力制御手段と、アクティブ期間に、無線ＬＡＮ端末からの接続要求を受信したときに休止中の各機能を起動させ、通常動作に移行させる接続要求検出手段と、アクティブ期間からスリープ期間に入るときに、無線ＬＡＮ端末が当該スリープ期間中の送信を禁止する送信抑制時間（ＮＡＶ）を設定するための予約信号を、無線中継装置に近接する無線ＬＡＮ端末が受信および復調できる低い出力パワーおよび高い伝送レートで送信する予約信号送信手段とを備える。 According to a first aspect of the present invention, a wireless relay that selects one of a plurality of wireless communication lines on the WAN side and performs a relay process between a network connected to the wireless communication line and a wireless LAN terminal connected to the wireless LAN on the LAN side. In the device, the connection state of the wireless LAN terminal is monitored, and when the wireless LAN terminal is connected, it is set to a normal operation for operating all the functions of the wireless relay device, and when the wireless LAN terminal is not connected, the wireless relay is performed. A power saving control means for setting a power saving operation for intermittently repeating an active period and a sleep period with a predetermined period for a part of the function of the apparatus and for activating the active period And a connection request detecting means for activating each function that is inactive when receiving a connection request from a wireless LAN terminal and shifting to a normal operation, and a sleep period from an active period. Low output power at which a wireless LAN terminal close to the wireless relay apparatus can receive and demodulate a reservation signal for setting a transmission suppression time (NAV) for prohibiting transmission during the sleep period when the wireless LAN terminal enters And a reservation signal transmitting means for transmitting at a high transmission rate.

第２の発明は、ＷＡＮ側の複数の無線通信回線の１つを選択し、その無線通信回線に接続されるネットワークとＬＡＮ側で無線ＬＡＮ接続される無線ＬＡＮ端末との中継処理を行う無線中継装置の省電力制御方法において、省電力制御手段が、無線ＬＡＮ端末の接続状態を監視し、無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されているときは無線中継装置の全機能を動作させる通常動作に設定し、無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されていないときは無線中継装置の一部の機能を休止させ、かつ他の一部の機能に対して、アクティブ期間とスリープ期間を所定の周期で繰り返す間欠動作をさせる省電力動作に設定し、接続要求検出手段が、アクティブ期間に、無線ＬＡＮ端末からの接続要求を受信したときに休止中の各機能を起動させ、通常動作に移行させ、予約信号送信手段が、アクティブ期間からスリープ期間に入るときに、無線ＬＡＮ端末が当該スリープ期間中の送信を禁止する送信抑制時間（ＮＡＶ）を設定するための予約信号を、無線中継装置に近接する無線ＬＡＮ端末が受信および復調できる低い出力パワーおよび高い伝送レートで送信する。
The second invention selects one of a plurality of wireless communication lines on the WAN side, and performs wireless relay processing for performing relay processing between a network connected to the wireless communication line and a wireless LAN terminal connected to the wireless LAN on the LAN side In the power saving control method of the device, the power saving control means monitors the connection state of the wireless LAN terminal, and when the wireless LAN terminal is connected, sets to a normal operation that operates all the functions of the wireless relay device. Power-saving operation that suspends some functions of the wireless relay device when the LAN terminal is not connected and performs intermittent operation that repeats the active period and sleep period at a predetermined cycle for other functions When the connection request detection means receives a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal during the active period, it activates each function that is inactive, shifts to normal operation, and transmits a reservation signal. When a stage enters a sleep period from an active period, a wireless LAN terminal close to the wireless relay apparatus transmits a reservation signal for setting a transmission suppression time (NAV) in which the wireless LAN terminal prohibits transmission during the sleep period. Transmits at low output power and high transmission rate that can be received and demodulated.

本発明は、無線中継装置に無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されていないときに省電力動作とし、一部の機能を休止させることにより消費電力を大幅に抑え、バッテリーの電力を長持ちさせることができる。一方、無線ＬＡＮ端末からの接続要求に応じて、直ちに無線中継装置を通常動作に移行させることができ、無線ＬＡＮ端末をＷＡＮ側回線に接続することができる。   According to the present invention, when a wireless LAN terminal is not connected to the wireless relay device, the power saving operation is performed, and by suspending some functions, the power consumption can be significantly suppressed and the battery power can be prolonged. On the other hand, in response to a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal, the wireless relay device can be immediately shifted to normal operation, and the wireless LAN terminal can be connected to the WAN side line.

また、無線中継装置が省電力動作中に稼働する一部の機能を間欠動作させることにより、さらに省電力効果を高めることができる。   Further, the power saving effect can be further enhanced by intermittently operating some functions that the wireless relay device operates during the power saving operation.

また、アクティブ期間中に送信するビーコンに対して無線ＬＡＮ端末が所定の要求送信待ち時間後に接続要求を送信するシーケンスに対して、アクティブ期間の調整や、スリープ期間中のＮＡＶ設定により、接続要求の受信成功確率を高めることができる。   In addition, for a sequence in which a wireless LAN terminal transmits a connection request after a predetermined request transmission waiting time for a beacon transmitted during the active period, the connection request is changed by adjusting the active period or setting the NAV during the sleep period. The probability of successful reception can be increased.

また、ＮＡＶ設定に用いる予約信号を無線中継装置に近接する無線ＬＡＮ端末のみが受信できるようにすることにより、他の無線ＬＡＮ端末に影響を与えずに接続要求の受信成功確率を高めることができる。   In addition, by allowing only the wireless LAN terminal close to the wireless relay device to receive the reservation signal used for NAV setting, the probability of successful reception of the connection request can be increased without affecting other wireless LAN terminals. .

本発明の無線中継装置の実施例構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the Example structure of the radio relay apparatus of this invention. 実施例１の制御フローを示すフローチャートである。3 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow according to the first embodiment. 間欠動作時の課題を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the subject at the time of intermittent operation | movement. 実施例２の第１の制御例を示す図である。6 is a diagram illustrating a first control example of Embodiment 2. FIG. 実施例２の第２の制御例を示す図である。FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second control example of the second embodiment. 実施例２の第２の制御例の課題を説明する図である。It is a figure explaining the subject of the 2nd control example of Example 2. FIG. 実施例２の第３の制御例を示す図である。FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third control example of the second embodiment. 無線中継装置の構成例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structural example of a radio relay apparatus.

図１は、本発明の無線中継装置の実施例構成を示す。
図１において、本実施例の無線中継装置１０は、図８に示す構成に加えて制御部１４およびＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３に接続される接続要求検出部１６を備える。接続要求検出部１６は、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３を介して無線ＬＡＮ端末２０からの接続要求を受信すると制御部１４に通知する。 FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the wireless relay device of the present invention.
1, the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a connection request detection unit 16 connected to the control unit 14 and the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13 in addition to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8. When the connection request detection unit 16 receives a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal 20 via the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13, the connection request detection unit 16 notifies the control unit 14.

ここで、図２に示す実施例１の制御フローを参照し、本実施例の無線中継装置１０における全機能を動作させる通常動作および一部の機能を休止する省電力動作について説明する。省電力動作で休止させる機能は、図１(2) でハッチングで示すように、ＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１、ＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部１２、記憶部１５および制御部１４とする。   Here, with reference to the control flow of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a normal operation for operating all functions and a power saving operation for suspending some functions in the wireless relay device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 (2) by hatching, the functions to be suspended by the power saving operation are the WAN wireless LAN connection unit 11, the WAN mobile phone connection unit 12, the storage unit 15, and the control unit 14.

制御部１４は、通常動作中に（Ｓ１）、周期的に記憶部１５を参照して接続中の無線ＬＡＮ端末２０を確認し（Ｓ２）、接続中の無線ＬＡＮ端末２０があれば通常動作を継続する。一方、通常動作中に無線ＬＡＮ端末２０が接続していないことを検出すると、省電力動作に移行する（Ｓ３）。省電力動作時は、ＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１、ＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部１２、記憶部１５および制御部１４を休止状態とし、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３と接続要求検出部１６のみを動作させる。省電力動作中の接続要求検出部１６は、ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３を介して無線ＬＡＮ端末２０からの接続要求を受信するか否かを監視し（Ｓ４）、無線ＬＡＮ端末２０からの接続要求を受信した場合に、制御部１４およびその他の休止中の各部を起動して通常動作に移行する（Ｓ１）。   During normal operation (S1), the control unit 14 periodically refers to the storage unit 15 to check the connected wireless LAN terminal 20 (S2), and if there is a connected wireless LAN terminal 20, performs normal operation. continue. On the other hand, when it is detected that the wireless LAN terminal 20 is not connected during normal operation, the operation proceeds to power saving operation (S3). During power saving operation, the WAN side wireless LAN connection unit 11, the WAN side mobile phone connection unit 12, the storage unit 15 and the control unit 14 are put into a dormant state, and only the LAN side wireless LAN connection unit 13 and the connection request detection unit 16 operate. Let The connection request detection unit 16 during the power saving operation monitors whether or not a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal 20 is received via the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13 (S4), and the connection from the wireless LAN terminal 20 is performed. When the request is received, the control unit 14 and other units that are in a suspended state are activated to shift to a normal operation (S1).

これにより、例えば無線ＬＡＮ端末２０の電源ＯＦＦのため、無線中継装置１０に無線ＬＡＮ端末２０が接続されていない状態で省電力動作とし、無線中継装置１０のＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１１、ＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部１２、記憶部１５および制御部１４を休止状態にできるので、消費電力を大幅に抑えることができ、バッテリーの電力を長持ちさせることができる。一方、無線ＬＡＮ端末２０からの接続要求に応じて、直ちに無線中継装置１０を通常動作に移行させ、ＷＡＮ側回線との接続処理後に、当該ＷＡＮ側回線を介して無線ＬＡＮ端末２０をネットワークに接続させることができる。   As a result, for example, the power of the wireless LAN terminal 20 is turned off, so that the power saving operation is performed when the wireless LAN terminal 20 is not connected to the wireless relay apparatus 10, and the WAN side wireless LAN connection unit 11 and the WAN side of the wireless relay apparatus 10 are operated. Since the cellular phone connection unit 12, the storage unit 15, and the control unit 14 can be put into a dormant state, the power consumption can be significantly suppressed, and the battery power can be prolonged. On the other hand, in response to a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal 20, the wireless relay device 10 is immediately shifted to normal operation, and after the connection processing with the WAN side line, the wireless LAN terminal 20 is connected to the network via the WAN side line. Can be made.

無線中継装置１０が省電力動作中に稼働するＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部１３と接続要求検出部１６を間欠動作させることにより、さらに省電力効果を高めることができる。ここで、間欠動作の動作中を「アクティブ」、休止中を「スリープ」という。   The power saving effect can be further enhanced by intermittently operating the LAN-side wireless LAN connection unit 13 and the connection request detection unit 16 that are operating during the power saving operation of the wireless relay device 10. Here, the intermittent operation is referred to as “active” and the suspension is referred to as “sleep”.

無線ＬＡＮ端末２０は、図３に示すように、無線中継装置１０がアクティブ期間で送信するビーコンを受信し、所定時間（要求送信待ち時間）後に接続要求を送信する。無線中継装置１０はアクティブ期間でこの接続要求を受信することにより、省電力動作から通常動作に移行することができる。しかし、図３に示すように、ビーコンに対して応答が遅い無線ＬＡＮ端末２０Ａの場合には、無線中継装置１０のアクティブ期間に送信要求が届かず、無線中継装置１０の接続要求検出部１６はこれを受信できないので、通常動作への移行は失敗する。   As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless LAN terminal 20 receives a beacon transmitted by the wireless relay device 10 during an active period, and transmits a connection request after a predetermined time (request transmission waiting time). The wireless relay device 10 can shift from the power saving operation to the normal operation by receiving this connection request during the active period. However, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the wireless LAN terminal 20 </ b> A that responds slowly to the beacon, the transmission request does not arrive during the active period of the wireless relay device 10, and the connection request detection unit 16 of the wireless relay device 10 Since this cannot be received, the transition to normal operation fails.

そこで、図４に示すように、間欠動作のアクティブとスリープの割合は変えずに、アクティブ期間（ビーコンの周期）を長くする。これにより、省電力効果を損なうことなく、要求送信待ち時間の長い（ビーコンに対して応答が遅い）無線ＬＡＮ端末からの接続要求の受信成功確率を高めることができる。   Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the active period (beacon cycle) is lengthened without changing the ratio of active and sleep in the intermittent operation. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the probability of successful reception of a connection request from a wireless LAN terminal having a long request transmission waiting time (a response to a beacon is slow) without impairing the power saving effect.

また、図５に示すように、無線中継装置１０はスリープする前にチャネルを予約する予約信号を送信する。無線ＬＡＮ端末２０は、この予約信号を復調して送信抑制時間（ＮＡＶ）を設定すると、その期間は接続要求を送信しないため、要求送信待ち時間の長い無線ＬＡＮ端末であっても、その接続要求の受信成功確率を高めることができる。   Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the radio relay apparatus 10 transmits a reservation signal for reserving a channel before going to sleep. When the wireless LAN terminal 20 demodulates the reserved signal and sets the transmission suppression time (NAV), it does not transmit a connection request during that period, so even if the wireless LAN terminal has a long request transmission waiting time, the connection request Can increase the probability of successful reception.

ただし、無線中継装置１０に接続する無線ＬＡＮ端末２０の他に、図６に示すように、周辺に他の無線中継装置に所属する無線ＬＡＮ端末や単独で公衆無線ＬＡＮに接続する無線ＬＡＮ端末があると、それらの無線ＬＡＮ端末が無線中継装置１０から送信された予約信号に応答し、ＮＡＶを設定してしまうことがある。これを複数の無線中継装置が相互に行うと、全体としてチャネルの使用率、ひいてはスループットが低下することになる。   However, in addition to the wireless LAN terminal 20 connected to the wireless relay device 10, as shown in FIG. 6, there are wireless LAN terminals belonging to other wireless relay devices or wireless LAN terminals connected to the public wireless LAN alone. If there is, the wireless LAN terminal may set the NAV in response to the reservation signal transmitted from the wireless relay device 10. If a plurality of wireless relay apparatuses perform this mutually, the channel usage rate and thus the throughput as a whole will decrease.

そこで、無線中継装置１０が送信するチャネルの予約信号については、低い出力パワーかつ高い伝送レートで送信する。予約信号を通常より低い出力パワーで送信すると、図７に示すように、無線中継装置１０に近接する無線ＬＡＮ端末２０のみが受信できる。一方、通常の出力パワーとすると、他の無線中継装置に所属する無線ＬＡＮ端末や単独で公衆無線ＬＡＮに接続する無線ＬＡＮ端末にも予約信号が届くことになる。   Therefore, the channel reservation signal transmitted by the wireless relay device 10 is transmitted at a low output power and a high transmission rate. When the reservation signal is transmitted with a lower output power than usual, only the wireless LAN terminal 20 in the vicinity of the wireless relay device 10 can receive as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the normal output power is used, the reservation signal reaches a wireless LAN terminal belonging to another wireless relay apparatus or a wireless LAN terminal connected to the public wireless LAN alone.

また、予約信号を通常より高い伝送レート（例えば54Ｍbps ）で送信すると、予約信号を復調してＮＡＶを設定する無線ＬＡＮ端末を制限することができる。これは、無線中継装置１０から遠方の無線ＬＡＮ端末でも通常の伝送レート（例えば１Ｍbps ）であれば予約信号の復調が可能であるが、伝送レートが高くなることによって誤り率が増加し、予約信号の復調ができなくなるためである。これにより、無線中継装置１０は、自己に接続する無線ＬＡＮ端末２０のみに選択的にＮＡＶを設定し、その接続要求の受信成功確率を高めることができる。   Further, if the reservation signal is transmitted at a higher transmission rate (for example, 54 Mbps) than usual, it is possible to restrict the wireless LAN terminals that set the NAV by demodulating the reservation signal. This is because the reservation signal can be demodulated at a normal transmission rate (for example, 1 Mbps) even in a wireless LAN terminal far from the wireless relay device 10, but the error rate increases as the transmission rate increases, and the reservation signal This is because it becomes impossible to demodulate. As a result, the wireless relay device 10 can selectively set the NAV only to the wireless LAN terminal 20 connected to the wireless relay device 10 and increase the probability of successful reception of the connection request.

１０ 無線中継装置
１１ ＷＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部
１２ ＷＡＮ側携帯電話接続部
１３ ＬＡＮ側無線ＬＡＮ接続部
１４ 制御部
１５ 記憶部
１６ 接続要求検出部
２０ 無線ＬＡＮ端末 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless relay apparatus 11 WAN side wireless LAN connection part 12 WAN side mobile telephone connection part 13 LAN side wireless LAN connection part 14 Control part 15 Memory | storage part 16 Connection request detection part 20 Wireless LAN terminal

Claims (2)

ＷＡＮ側の複数の無線通信回線の１つを選択し、その無線通信回線に接続されるネットワークとＬＡＮ側で無線ＬＡＮ接続される無線ＬＡＮ端末との中継処理を行う無線中継装置において、
前記無線ＬＡＮ端末の接続状態を監視し、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されているときは前記無線中継装置の全機能を動作させる通常動作に設定し、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されていないときは前記無線中継装置の一部の機能を休止させ、かつ他の一部の機能に対して、アクティブ期間とスリープ期間を所定の周期で繰り返す間欠動作をさせる省電力動作に設定する省電力制御手段と、
前記アクティブ期間に、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末からの接続要求を受信したときに前記休止中の各機能を起動させ、前記通常動作に移行させる接続要求検出手段と、
前記アクティブ期間から前記スリープ期間に入るときに、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が当該スリープ期間中の送信を禁止する送信抑制時間（ＮＡＶ）を設定するための予約信号を、前記無線中継装置に近接する前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が受信および復調できる低い出力パワーおよび高い伝送レートで送信する予約信号送信手段と
を備えたことを特徴とする無線中継装置。 In a wireless relay device that selects one of a plurality of wireless communication lines on the WAN side and performs a relay process between a network connected to the wireless communication line and a wireless LAN terminal connected to the wireless LAN on the LAN side,
The connection state of the wireless LAN terminal is monitored, and when the wireless LAN terminal is connected, it is set to a normal operation for operating all functions of the wireless relay device, and when the wireless LAN terminal is not connected, the wireless LAN terminal is connected. A power-saving control means for setting a power-saving operation to pause a part of the functions of the wireless relay device and to perform an intermittent operation that repeats the active period and the sleep period at a predetermined cycle for the other part of the functions;
In the active period, when a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal is received, each function that is suspended is activated, and a connection request detection unit that shifts to the normal operation;
When entering the sleep period from the active period, the wireless LAN terminal transmits a reservation signal for setting a transmission suppression time (NAV) for prohibiting transmission during the sleep period to the wireless relay device in the vicinity. A radio relay apparatus comprising: reservation signal transmitting means for transmitting at a low output power and a high transmission rate that can be received and demodulated by a LAN terminal. ＷＡＮ側の複数の無線通信回線の１つを選択し、その無線通信回線に接続されるネットワークとＬＡＮ側で無線ＬＡＮ接続される無線ＬＡＮ端末との中継処理を行う無線中継装置の省電力制御方法において、
省電力制御手段が、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末の接続状態を監視し、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されているときは前記無線中継装置の全機能を動作させる通常動作に設定し、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が接続されていないときは前記無線中継装置の一部の機能を休止させ、かつ他の一部の機能に対して、アクティブ期間とスリープ期間を所定の周期で繰り返す間欠動作をさせる省電力動作に設定し、
接続要求検出手段が、前記アクティブ期間に、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末からの接続要求を受信したときに前記休止中の各機能を起動させ、前記通常動作に移行させ、
予約信号送信手段が、前記アクティブ期間から前記スリープ期間に入るときに、前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が当該スリープ期間中の送信を禁止する送信抑制時間（ＮＡＶ）を設定するための予約信号を、前記無線中継装置に近接する前記無線ＬＡＮ端末が受信および復調できる低い出力パワーおよび高い伝送レートで送信する
ことを特徴とする無線中継装置の省電力制御方法。 Power saving control method for a wireless relay device that selects one of a plurality of wireless communication lines on the WAN side and performs a relay process between a network connected to the wireless communication line and a wireless LAN terminal connected to the wireless LAN on the LAN side In
The power saving control means monitors the connection state of the wireless LAN terminal, and when the wireless LAN terminal is connected, sets the normal operation for operating all the functions of the wireless relay device, and the wireless LAN terminal is connected. If not, the wireless relay device is set to a power saving operation in which a part of the functions of the wireless relay device is suspended and an intermittent operation in which the active period and the sleep period are repeated at a predetermined cycle is set for the other part of the functions. ,
When the connection request detecting means receives a connection request from the wireless LAN terminal during the active period, it activates each function during the suspension, and shifts to the normal operation.
When the reservation signal transmitting means enters the sleep period from the active period, the wireless LAN terminal transmits a reservation signal for setting a transmission suppression time (NAV) for prohibiting transmission during the sleep period. Transmitting with low output power and high transmission rate that can be received and demodulated by the wireless LAN terminal close to the apparatus.
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