JP4571683B2 - Gateway and wireless network - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gateway and a wireless network for transferring a packet transmitted from a terminal device to a gateway via each node.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a conventional wireless network system. Here, each node from 1 to n is connected in a column by a wireless line. A backbone network 150 is connected to the node n, and this node n is a gateway. Each node transmits and receives a packet wirelessly with the terminal apparatuses 151a to 151f. As shown in FIG. 15, all line capacities between each node and the gateway in the network are set to a constant value A. That is, the line capacity of any node is set to a constant value A regardless of the amount of relay traffic.

  However, in a node network in which each node receives data from a terminal device and transfers the data as a packet to the gateway, the amount of relay traffic in each section between the nodes greatly changes. For this reason, in a section with little traffic, an extra line capacity is set, and the line usage rate decreases. In addition, since the total line capacity of the entire node network increases, a large amount of radio resources are required. Furthermore, when traffic is concentrated in a certain section, there is a problem that the packet transfer delay time becomes too long.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a gateway and a wireless network that can suppress the packet transfer time from the terminal device to the gateway to be equal to or less than an allowable value and reduce the total line capacity in the entire network. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gateway according to the present invention adds a data amount detection means for detecting a data amount per unit time notified from each node, and adds all the detected data amounts to obtain a data amount. The total value calculating means for calculating the total value of the above and the total value notifying means for notifying all the nodes of the calculated total value are adopted.

  A wireless network according to the present invention employs a configuration including the gateway according to claim 1.

  According to the present invention, the total allowable time can be equally distributed or proportionately independently at each node. Also, the line capacity can be set according to the amount of data between the nodes and the nodes. Thereby, it is possible to set a line capacity that can suppress the packet transfer time from the node to the gateway in the network to be less than the total allowable time. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

  As described above, the node network system according to the present invention includes a plurality of nodes that perform wireless communication with a terminal device, and a backbone network connected to any one of the nodes, and each of the nodes is wireless. In a node network system that is connected by a line and transmits and receives packets between the terminal device and the backbone network, each node forwards packets received from the terminal device and other nodes to another node. Transfer means, transfer time measurement means for measuring the time required to transfer a received packet to another node, and a packet transmitted from the terminal device are required to arrive at a node connected to the backbone network Based on the time tolerance, for each node, the received packet A transfer time distribution means for allocating an allowable value of time required for transfer to a node, and a capacity for setting a capacity of a radio line between nodes so that the measured time becomes equal to the allocated allowable value A configuration including setting means is employed.

  According to the present invention, the total allowable time can be equally distributed or proportionately independently at each node. Also, the line capacity can be set according to the amount of data between the nodes and the nodes. Thereby, it is possible to set a line capacity that can suppress the packet transfer time from the node to the gateway in the network to be less than the total allowable time. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a node network system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This node network system includes a plurality of nodes 1 to n that transmit and receive signals to and from the terminal devices 151a to 151f. Node n is a gateway and is connected to the backbone network 150. Between each node and between the node and the gateway are connected in cascade by a wireless line, and transmission and reception of signals between the nodes and between the nodes and the gateway are performed by packets. Here, each node has a function of transferring signals from the terminal devices 151a to 151f and signals received from other nodes to other nodes, and transfers signals from the terminal devices 151a to 151f to the gateway.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the node i. The packet from the node i-1 is received by the receiving unit 2 via the antenna 100. Packets from the terminal devices 151 a to 151 f are received by the receiving unit 3 via the antenna 10. Packets received by the receiving unit 2 and the receiving unit 3 are temporarily stored in the buffer unit 4. Thereafter, the packet is transferred to the node i + 1 via the antenna 9 by a radio line having a predetermined line capacity set with the node i + 1 in the transmission unit 8. Further, a delay detection unit 5 detects a transfer delay time (hereinafter referred to as “transfer end time”) generated until the packet transfer to the node i + 1 through the buffer unit 4 is completed. The line capacity control unit 7 determines the transfer end time detected by the delay detection unit 5 and the allowable value of the transfer end time between the nodes distributed to each node by the allowable time distribution unit 6 (hereinafter, “distribution time”). Based on the above, the capacity of the wireless line set by the transmission unit 8 is controlled.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the first embodiment. When a packet is received from a node or a terminal device (step C1), the allowable time distribution unit 6 determines a required distribution time (step C2) and notifies the line capacity control unit 7 of it. The delay detection unit 5 measures the transfer end time (step C3) and notifies the line capacity control unit 7 of it. The line capacity control unit 7 compares the transfer end time notified from the delay detection unit 5 with the distribution time notified from the allowable time distribution unit 6 (step C4). As a result of comparison, if they are equal, the process proceeds to step C7. If they are not equal, the line capacity is calculated again so that the transfer end time is equal to the allocation time (step C5), and the calculated line capacity is transmitted. Notification to the unit 8. In the transmission unit 8, the line capacity notified from the line capacity control unit 7 is set again as the transmission line capacity (step C6), a wireless line having the set capacity is established with the reception unit of the node i + 1, and the packet And waits for reception of a packet (step C7).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to set the line capacity capable of suppressing the packet transfer time from the node in the network to the gateway to the total allowable time or less. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 provides a method for measuring the time until transfer of a received packet to another node is completed. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the second embodiment. When a packet is received from a node or a terminal device (step S1), the allowable time distribution unit 6 determines a required distribution time (step S2) and notifies the line capacity control unit 7 of it. The delay detection unit 5 measures the amount of data stored in the buffer unit 4 (step S3), and determines the time until transfer of the measured amount of data based on the line capacity already set in the transmission unit 8 is completed. The transfer end time is detected by calculation (step S4). Thereafter, the delay detection unit 5 notifies the line capacity control unit 7 of the transfer end time. The line capacity control unit 7 compares the transfer end time notified from the delay detection unit 5 with the distribution time notified from the allowable time distribution unit 6 (step S5). If they are equal, the process proceeds to step S8. If they are not equal, the line capacity is calculated again such that the transfer end time is equal to the allocation time (step S6), and the transmission unit 8 is notified. In the transmission unit 8, the line capacity notified from the line capacity control unit 7 is set again as the transmission line capacity (step S7), and a wireless line having the set capacity is established with the reception unit of the node i + 1. Send the packet.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to easily measure the transfer end time, and to set the line capacity that can suppress the packet transfer time from the node in the network to the gateway within the total allowable time. it can. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, the total allowable time is evenly distributed to each node. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the third embodiment. When a packet is received from a node or a terminal device (step T1), the allowable time distribution unit 6 determines the time that all the allowable time is evenly distributed to each node as the distribution time (step T2), and the line capacity control unit 7 To notify. The delay detection unit 5 measures the transfer end time (step T3) and notifies the line capacity control unit 7 of it. The line capacity control unit 7 compares the transfer end time notified from the delay detection unit 5 with the distribution time notified from the allowable time distribution unit 6 (step T4). As a result of the comparison, if the two are equal, the process proceeds to step T7. If the both are not equal, the line capacity is calculated again so that the transfer end time is equal to the allocation time (step T5), and the transmission unit 8 is notified. To do. In the transmission unit 8, the line capacity notified from the line capacity control unit 7 is set again as the transmission line capacity (step T6), and a wireless line having the set capacity is established with the reception unit of the node i + 1. Send the packet.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the total allowable time can be equally distributed independently at each node, and the line capacity that can suppress the packet transfer time from the node to the gateway in the network to be equal to or less than the total allowable time. Can be set. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment, the total allowable time is distributed according to the ratio of the data amount per unit time transmitted / received between the nodes. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the fourth embodiment. When a packet is received from a node or a terminal device (step ST1), the allowable time distribution unit 6 determines the distribution time as the distribution time of the total allowable time according to the ratio of the data amount per unit time between the nodes. (Step ST2), the line capacity control unit 7 is notified. The delay detection unit 5 measures the transfer end time (step ST3) and notifies the line capacity control unit 7 of it. The line capacity control unit 7 compares the transfer end time notified from the delay detection unit 5 with the distribution time notified from the allowable time distribution unit 6 (step ST4). As a result of the comparison, if the two are equal, the process proceeds to step ST7. If the both are not equal, the line capacity is calculated again so that the transfer end time is equal to the allocation time (step ST5), and the transmission unit 8 is notified. To do. In the transmission unit 8, the line capacity notified from the line capacity control unit 7 is set again as the transmission line capacity (step ST6), and a wireless line having the set capacity is established with the reception unit of the node i + 1. Send the packet.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the total allowable time can be allocated according to the amount of data independently at each node, and the packet transfer time from the node in the network to the gateway is suppressed to the total allowable time or less. The line capacity to be obtained can be set. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

(Embodiment 5)
Embodiment 5 provides a method for evenly distributing the total allowable time to each node. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the node i according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in node i, the packet transmitted from node i-1 is received by transmission / reception unit 701 via antenna 700, transmitted to buffer unit 703 by transmission / reception separation unit 702, and temporarily accumulated. The packet transmitted from the terminal device is received by the receiving unit 705 via the antenna 704, and the relay number information (initial value: 0) is appended to the packet by the information appending unit 706, and then temporarily stored in the buffer unit 703. Accumulated. The packet accumulated in the buffer unit 703 is added with 1 to the number of relays added to the packet by the relay number increasing unit 707 and transmitted from the transmission separating unit 708 to the transmitting / receiving unit 709. Thereafter, the packet is transferred to the node i + 1 via the antenna 710 by a wireless line having a predetermined line capacity set with the node i + 1 in the transmission / reception unit 709. Further, the transfer delay time is detected by the delay detection unit 711. The distribution time notified to the line capacity control unit 712 is determined by the allowable time distribution unit 714 based on the total allowable time and the maximum relay number information detected from the control packet transmitted from the gateway by the maximum relay number information detection unit 713. decide. The line capacity control unit 712 controls the capacity of the radio line set by the transmission / reception unit 709 based on the transfer end time detected by the delay detection unit 711 and the distribution time determined by the allowable time distribution unit 714.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the gateway n according to the fifth embodiment. The gateway n is connected to the backbone network 800. The packet transmitted from the node n−1 is received by the transmission / reception unit 802 via the antenna 801, and transmitted from the transmission / reception separation unit 803 to the relay number information detection unit 804. The packet is transferred from the transmission / reception separating unit 805 to the backbone network 800 after the relay number information added to the received packet is detected by the relay number information detecting unit 804. Also, the relay number information detection unit 804 notifies the detected relay number information to the maximum relay number notification unit 806. The maximum relay number notification unit 806 detects the maximum value of the relay number notified from the relay number information detection unit 804 and appends the value to the control packet as the maximum relay number information. The control packet is transferred from the transmission / reception unit 802 to the node n−1 via the antenna 801.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the line capacity setting operation of the node according to the fifth embodiment. When the node i receives the control packet transmitted from the gateway n from the node i + 1 (step X1), the maximum relay number information detection unit 713 detects the maximum relay number information added to the control packet (step X2). The allowable time distribution unit 714 is notified. The allowable time distribution unit 714 determines the time obtained by dividing the total allowable time by the maximum number of relays notified from the maximum relay number information detection unit 713 as the distribution time, and notifies the line capacity control unit 712 (step). X8). When a packet is received from the terminal device (step X6), the information appending unit 706 appends the relay number information (initial value: 0) to the received packet and transmits it (step X7), and the packet is sent to the buffer unit 703. Accumulated (step X5). When a packet is received from the node i-1 (step X4), the received packet is similarly stored in the buffer unit 703 (step X5).

  The delay detection unit 711 measures the amount of accumulated data in the buffer unit 703 (step X9), and based on the line capacity already set in the transmission / reception unit 709, the transfer of the measured accumulated data amount is completed. By calculating the time, the transfer end time is detected (step X10) and notified to the line capacity control unit 712. The line capacity control unit 712 compares the transfer end time notified from the delay detection unit 711 with the distribution time notified from the allowable time distribution unit 714 (step X11). As a result of comparison, if both are equal, the process proceeds to step X14. If both are not equal, the line capacity is calculated again so that the transfer end time is equal to the allocated time (step X12), and the transmission / reception unit 709 is notified. To do.

  On the other hand, packets accumulated in the buffer unit 703 are incremented by 1 in the relay number increasing unit 707 (step X14) and transmitted to the transmitting / receiving unit 709.

  The transmission / reception unit 709 again sets the line capacity notified from the line capacity control unit 712 as the transmission line capacity (step X13), establishes a wireless line having the set capacity with the transmission / reception unit of the node i + 1, Transfer the packet to node i + 1. Here, the relay number information added to the packet is incremented by 1 every time it is relayed by each node, and finally transferred to the gateway.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the line capacity setting operation of the gateway n according to the fifth embodiment. When the gateway n receives a packet from the node n-1 (step Y1), the relay number information detection unit 804 detects the relay number appended to the received packet (step Y2), and the maximum relay number notification unit 806 Notice. The maximum relay number notification unit 806 determines whether relay number information has been detected from all nodes (step Y3). If relay number information has not been detected from all nodes, the process proceeds to step Y7. When the relay number information is detected from all nodes, the maximum value of the detected relay number is obtained (step Y4), added to the control packet as the maximum relay number information (step Y5), and the control packet is transmitted to all nodes ( Step Y6) waits for reception of a packet (step Y7).

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the total allowable time can be evenly distributed based on the number of all nodes, and the packet transfer time from the node in the network to the gateway can be suppressed to the total allowable time or less. The capacity can be set. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

(Embodiment 6)
The sixth embodiment provides a method of allocating the total allowable time according to the ratio of the data amount per unit time transmitted / received between the nodes. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of node i according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in node i, the packet transmitted from node i-1 is received by transmission / reception unit 901 via antenna 900, transmitted to buffer unit 903 by transmission / reception separation unit 902, and temporarily accumulated. The packet transmitted from the terminal device is received by the receiving unit 905 via the antenna 904, and the transmission data amount information notified from the data amount detecting unit 907 is added by the information adding unit 906, and then the buffer unit 903. Once accumulated. The amount of transmission data per unit time of the packets accumulated in the buffer unit 903 is measured by the data amount detection unit 907 and transmitted from the transmission / reception separation unit 908 to the transmission / reception unit 909. Thereafter, the packet is transferred to the node i + 1 via the antenna 910 via a wireless line having a predetermined line capacity set with the node i + 1 in the transmission / reception unit 909.

  The transfer delay time is detected by the delay detection unit 911. The all-node transmission data amount information detection unit 912 detects the total value of all nodes of the transmission data amount, which is all-node transmission data amount information, from the control packet transmitted by the gateway, and notifies the allowable time distribution unit 913. The allowable time distribution unit 913 is based on the total value of all the transmission data amounts notified from the all-node transmission data amount information detection unit 912, the transmission data amount notified from the data amount detection unit 907, and the total allowable time. To determine the allocation time. The line capacity control unit 914 controls the capacity of the radio line set by the transmission / reception unit 909 based on the transfer end time detected by the delay detection unit 911 and the distribution time calculated by the allowable time distribution unit 913.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the gateway n according to the sixth embodiment. The gateway n is connected to the backbone network 800. The packet transmitted from the node n−1 is received by the transmission / reception unit 951 via the antenna 950 and transmitted from the transmission / reception separation unit 952 to the transmission data amount information detection unit 953. The packet is transferred from the transmission / reception separation unit 954 to the backbone network 800 after the transmission data amount information added to the reception packet is detected by the transmission data amount information detection unit 953. Further, the transmission data amount information detection unit 953 notifies the detected transmission data amount information to the all node transmission data amount notification unit 955. The total node transmission data amount notifying unit 955 calculates the sum of all the transmission data amounts from the transmission data amount notified from the transmission data amount information detecting unit 953, and uses the value as the total node transmission data amount information in the control packet. Appendices. The control packet is transferred from the transmission / reception unit 951 to the node n−1 via the antenna 950.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the line capacity setting operation of the node according to the sixth embodiment. When the node i receives the control packet transmitted from the gateway n from the node i + 1 (step Z1), the all-node transmission data amount information detecting unit 912 displays the total node transmission data amount appended to the control packet transmitted from the gateway. The total value of all nodes of the transmission data amount is detected from the information (step Z2) and notified to the allowable time distribution unit 913. The allowable time distribution unit 913 divides the transmission data amount notified from the data amount detection unit 907 by the total value of all nodes of the transmission data amount notified from the all-node transmission data amount information detection unit 912 (step Z9). And notifies the line capacity control unit 914. When a packet is received from the terminal device (step Z6), the information appending unit 906 displays the transmission data amount (step Z7) notified from the data amount detection unit 907 to the packet received from the reception unit 905. (Step Z8) and stored in the buffer unit 903. When a packet is received from the node i-1 (step Z4), the received packet is similarly stored in the buffer unit 903 (step Z5).

  The delay detection unit 911 measures the amount of accumulated data in the buffer unit 903 (step Z11), and based on the line capacity already set in the transmission / reception unit 909, the transfer of the measured accumulated data amount is completed. The transfer end time is detected by calculating the time (step Z12) and notified to the line capacity control unit 914. The line capacity control unit 914 compares the transfer end time notified from the delay detection unit 911 with the distribution time notified from the allowable time distribution unit 913 (step Z13). As a result of comparison, if both are equal, the process proceeds to step Z16. If both are not equal, the line capacity is calculated again so that the transfer end time is equal to the allocation time (step Z14), and the transmission / reception unit 909 is notified. To do.

  On the other hand, for the packets stored in the buffer unit 903, the data amount detection unit 907 detects the transmission data amount per unit time, and is transmitted to the transmission / reception separation unit 908 and the transmission / reception unit 909. Further, the data amount detection unit 907 notifies the information appending unit 906 of the measured transmission data amount per unit time. The transmission / reception unit 909 again sets the line capacity notified from the line capacity control unit 914 as the transmission line capacity (step Z15), and establishes a wireless line having the set line capacity with the transmission / reception unit of the node i + 1. , Forward the packet to node i + 1. Here, the transmission data amount information attached to the packet is finally transferred to the gateway.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the gateway n according to the sixth embodiment. When the gateway n receives a packet from the node n-1 (step W1), the transmission data amount information detection unit 953 detects transmission data amount information of each node appended to the reception packet (step W2). The node transmission data amount notification unit 955 is notified. The all-node transmission data amount notifying unit 955 determines whether or not the transmission data amount has been detected from all the nodes (step W3). If the transmission data amount information has not been detected from all the nodes, the process proceeds to step W7. When the transmission data amount is detected from all nodes, the sum of all transmission data amounts is calculated (step W4), and the calculated value is appended to the control packet as all node transmission data amount information (step W5). The control packet is transmitted to all nodes (step W6), and reception of the packet is waited (step W7).

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the total allowable time can be allocated based on the transmission data amount of all the nodes, and the packet transfer time from the node in the network to the gateway can be suppressed to the total allowable time or less. Line capacity can be set. Further, since the line capacity corresponding to the data amount between the nodes is set, it is possible to reduce the entire line capacity, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the radio resources.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the node network system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the node i. 4 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the third embodiment. 15 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of the node network system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a node i according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a gateway n according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of a node according to the fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of gateway n according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a node i according to a sixth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the gateway n which concerns on Embodiment 6. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of a node according to the sixth embodiment. 18 is a flowchart showing a line capacity setting operation of gateway n according to the sixth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the conventional wireless network system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-n ... Node, 100 ... Antenna, 2 ... Reception part, 3 ... Reception part, 4 ... Buffer part, 5 ... Delay detection part, 6 ... Allowable time distribution part, 7 ... Line capacity control part, 8 ... Transmission part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Antenna, 10 ... Antenna, 150 ... Backbone network, 151a-151f ... Terminal device, 700 ... Antenna, 701 ... Transmission / reception part, 702 ... Transmission / reception separation part, 703 ... Buffer part, 704 ... Antenna, 705 ... Reception part, 706 ... information appending part, 707 ... relay number increasing part, 708 ... transmission separating part, 709 ... transmitting / receiving part, 710 ... antenna, 711 ... delay detecting part, 712 ... line capacity control part, 713 ... maximum relay number information detecting part, 714 ... allowable time distribution unit, 800 ... backbone network, 801 ... antenna, 802 ... transmission / reception unit, 803 ... transmission / reception separation unit, 804 ... relay number information detection unit, 80 Transmission / reception separation unit, 806 ... Maximum relay number notification unit, 900 ... Antenna, 901 ... Transmission / reception unit, 902 ... Transmission / reception separation unit, 903 ... Buffer unit, 904 ... Antenna, 905 ... Reception unit, 906 ... Information appending unit, 907 ... Data amount detection unit, 908 ... transmission / reception separation unit, 909 ... transmission / reception unit, 910 ... antenna, 911 ... delay detection unit, 912 ... all node transmission data amount information detection unit, 913 ... allowable time distribution unit, 914 ... line capacity control unit 950 ... Antenna, 951 ... Transmission / reception unit, 952 ... Transmission / reception separation unit, 953 ... Transmission data amount information detection unit, 954 ... Transmission / reception separation unit, 955 ... All node transmission data amount notification unit.

Claims (2)

A data amount detecting means for detecting a data amount per unit time notified from each node;
A total value calculating means for adding all the detected data amounts and calculating a total value of the data amounts;
A gateway comprising: a total value notification means for notifying all the nodes of the calculated total value. A wireless network comprising the gateway according to claim 1.

Images