JP6413802B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication method, a communication device, and a communication program, and can be applied to, for example, a wireless communication device that requires power-saving communication.

  IEEE 802.15.4e defines CSL (Coordinated Sampled Listening), which is a power-saving wireless communication protocol that uses IEEE 802.15.4 (see Non-Patent Document 1).

  A node that communicates with the CSL is in a state of being able to receive intermittently at a preset period (for example, “receives only 2 msec every 3 seconds”). When transmitting a data frame, a node operating in CSL first transmits a Wakeup frame continuously for a certain period. The Wakeup frame includes information “how many milliseconds later the data frame is transmitted”.

  CSL has two types of frame transmission methods, frame asynchronous transmission and frame synchronous transmission. The former is adopted when the transmission source does not know the intermittent reception timing of the transmission destination, and the latter is adopted when the transmission source knows the intermittent reception timing of the transmission destination.

  These two types of frame transmission methods differ in the period during which Wakeup frames are continuously transmitted. In the case of frame asynchronous transmission, a Wakeup frame is continuously transmitted for a long time before transmitting a data frame. The continuous transmission period is often set to an intermittent reception interval (for example, an interval of about 3 seconds). In the case of a node that supports conventional frame synchronous transmission, the Wakeup frame continuous transmission period before data frame transmission is minimized (for example, about 20 msec). Therefore, in a node that supports frame-synchronous transmission on the receiving side, reducing the reception operation time increases the power saving performance of the node. For example, when the intermittent reception interval is changed from 3 seconds to 20 minutes at the reception side node, the reception operation time per 20 minutes is changed from about 800 msec to 2 msec, and the power saving performance is improved.

IEEE edition, "IEEE Std 802.15.4e-2012", [Online], INTERNET, [December 11, 2014 search], <URL: http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.15.4e- 2012.pdf>

  However, according to the CSL standard defined by IEEE 802.15.4e, the intermittent reception interval can be set only up to about 6 seconds (the upper limit value of the intermittent reception period is 6 seconds). Although it is possible to extend the standard so that the intermittent reception interval can be set to 6 seconds or more, if the intermittent reception period becomes long, the Wakeup frame continuous transmission period during frame asynchronous transmission becomes very long (for example, the intermittent reception interval). Is set to 20 minutes, the Wakeup frame continuous transmission period is about 20 minutes). When constructing a multi-hop network in which a large number of nodes are arranged, in practice, congestion occurs frequently when the Wakeup frame continuous transmission period is 2 seconds or more, and the system cannot be constructed.

  In view of the above problems, a communication system and a communication method capable of performing efficient frame transmission when performing frame transmission from a transmission-side communication apparatus to a reception-side communication apparatus that operates intermittently A communication device and a communication program are desired.

  The first aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising a communication device on the transmission side and a communication device on the reception side. (1) The communication device on the reception side includes (1-1) a frame receiving means for receiving a frame; (1-2) intermittent reception control means for performing intermittent reception control processing for making the frame reception means intermittently capable of receiving frames every first period; and (1-3) the transmission-side communication device. And a reception-side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing at which the intermittent reception control process is skipped, and (1-4) second intermittent control information shared by the reception-side intermittent control information sharing means. Skip control means for performing intermittent reception skip processing for skipping intermittent reception control processing of the intermittent reception control means during a period of (2) the transmission side communication device is (2-1) the reception side Through A transmission side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing the device, intermittent control information, and (2-2) frame transmission, based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmission side intermittent control information sharing means, And a frame transmission means for estimating a timing at which the receiving communication device is ready to receive a frame and transmitting the frame to the receiving communication device at the estimated timing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method of a communication system including a transmission-side communication apparatus and a reception-side communication apparatus. (1) The reception-side communication apparatus includes a frame reception unit, an intermittent reception control unit, a reception unit Side intermittent control information sharing means and skip control means. (2) The transmission side communication device has transmission side intermittent control information sharing means and frame transmission means. (3) The frame reception means is (4) The intermittent reception control means performs an intermittent reception control process for making the frame reception means intermittently capable of receiving frames every first period, and (5) the reception side. The intermittent control information sharing means shares intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping the intermittent reception control process with the transmission side communication device, and (6) the skip control means shares the reception side intermittent control information. In accordance with the intermittent control information shared by the stages, intermittent reception skip processing is performed to skip the intermittent reception control processing of the intermittent reception control means during a second period. (7) The transmission side intermittent control information sharing means (8) The frame transmission means transmits a frame and receives the reception based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means. The timing at which the communication device on the side becomes ready to receive a frame is estimated, and the frame is transmitted to the communication device on the reception side at the estimated timing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a communication device that receives a frame from a transmission-side communication device, (1) a frame receiving unit that receives a frame; and (2) the frame receiving unit is intermittently provided for each first period. Intermittent reception control means for performing intermittent reception control processing for enabling frame reception; (3) reception-side intermittent control for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping the intermittent reception control processing with the communication device on the transmission side. (4) Skip performing intermittent reception skip processing for skipping intermittent reception control processing of the intermittent reception control means for a second period according to intermittent control information shared by the reception-side intermittent control information sharing means And a control means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a communication device that transmits a frame to a communication device on the receiving side, (1) the timing for skipping the intermittent reception control process for enabling intermittent frame reception every first period A transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information with the receiving-side communication device; and (2) frame transmission, based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means. The reception side communication device has a frame transmission means for estimating a timing at which the frame is ready to receive a frame and transmitting the frame to the reception side communication device at the estimated timing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication program comprising: (1) a frame receiving unit that receives a frame; and (2) a frame receiving unit configured to receive a frame from a transmission-side communication device. Intermittent reception control means for performing intermittent reception control processing for making a frame receivable intermittently every one period; (3) intermittent control according to timing for skipping the above-mentioned communication device on the transmission side and intermittent reception control processing; The reception-side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing information, and (4) skipping the intermittent reception control process of the intermittent reception control means during the second period according to the intermittent control information shared by the reception-side intermittent control information sharing means It is characterized by functioning as skip control means for performing intermittent reception skip processing.

  A communication program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention provides: (1) intermittent reception in which a computer mounted in a communication device that transmits a frame to a receiving-side communication device is in a state in which frames can be received intermittently every first period. Transmission side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to timing for skipping control processing with the communication apparatus on the reception side, and (2) frame transmission, wherein the transmission side intermittent control information sharing means Based on the intermittent control information shared by the receiving side, estimating the timing at which the receiving communication device is ready to receive a frame, and at the estimated timing, frame transmitting means for transmitting a frame to the receiving communication device. It is made to function as having.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when performing frame transmission from the communication apparatus of a transmission side to the communication apparatus of the reception side which operate | moves intermittently, efficient frame transmission can be performed.

It is the block diagram shown about the functional structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the block diagram shown about the example of the whole structure of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on embodiment. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the receiving-side wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation when the transmitting-side wireless communication apparatus according to the embodiment transmits a data frame to the receiving-side wireless communication apparatus.

(A) Main Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a communication system, a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example in which the communication system, the communication method, the communication apparatus, and the communication program of the present invention are applied to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication program will be described.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the wireless communication system 1 of this embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the wireless communication system 1 includes two wireless communication devices 10 (10-1 and 10-2). In addition, the number of the radio | wireless communication apparatuses 10 arrange | positioned in the radio | wireless communications system 1 is not limited. Here, the wireless communication apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 are described as having the same configuration, but may have different configurations.

  Next, the internal configuration of the wireless communication device 10 will be described.

  FIG. 1 illustrates the internal configuration of each wireless communication device 10.

  The wireless communication apparatus 10 includes a frame reception unit 101, a frame transmission unit 102, an intermittent reception control unit 103, a skip period information exchange unit 104, and an intermittent reception skip period control unit 105. In FIG. 1, only the configuration related to data reception or reception in the wireless communication apparatus 10 is illustrated, but other configurations (for example, configurations of higher layers such as applications) are not limited.

  The wireless communication apparatus 10 installs the communication program and the like of the embodiment in an apparatus (computer) having an execution configuration of programs such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM and an interface for wireless communication with other communication apparatuses. Thus, it can be constructed, and even in that case, it can be functionally shown as in FIG.

  The wireless communication apparatus 10 includes a frame reception unit 101, a frame transmission unit 102, an intermittent reception control unit 103, a skip period information exchange unit 104, and an intermittent reception skip period control unit 105.

  The frame receiving unit 101 receives a frame from another wireless communication device 10 by wireless communication. The frame reception unit 101 performs a Wakeup frame reception process and a data frame reception process after receiving the Wakeup frame. Although how the frame receiving unit 101 processes the data frame after receiving the data frame is not limited, it may be supplied to an upper layer such as an application (not shown).

  The frame transmission unit 102 transmits a frame to another wireless communication device 10 by wireless communication. The frame transmission unit 102 performs transmission processing of a Wakeup frame or a data frame. When there is a data frame transmission request, the frame transmission unit 102 determines whether to perform frame asynchronous transmission or frame synchronous transmission depending on the transmission destination, and performs frame transmission. The trigger for transmitting the data frame by the frame transmitting unit 102 is not limited. For example, the frame transmitting unit 102 transmits the data frame in accordance with an upper layer instruction (data and destination address of the data) such as an application (not shown). Shall.

  The intermittent reception control unit 103 controls the frame reception unit 101 to perform intermittent reception. It is assumed that an intermittent reception period is set in advance in the intermittent reception control unit 103. The intermittent reception control unit 103 activates the frame reception unit 101 intermittently at an interval of the set intermittent reception period and operates (operates in a state where frame reception is possible). When the frame reception unit 101 receives a Wakeup frame from another wireless communication device 10 (transmission-side wireless communication device 10) during the intermittent reception operation, the frame reception unit 101 describes a period described in the Wakeup frame (a period until data frame transmission) ) Prepare to receive data frame later and receive data frame.

  In this embodiment, the intermittent reception control unit 103 controls the frame reception unit 101 to perform intermittent reception for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as “frame receivable period”) for each intermittent reception period (hereinafter, “ Called intermittent reception control processing). For example, the intermittent reception period may be 3 sec and the frame receivable period may be 2 msec. In this case, the intermittent reception control unit 103 controls the frame reception unit 101 every 2 seconds for 2 milliseconds so that the Wakeup frame can be received.

  The intermittent reception control unit 103 operates in a frame receivable period, and can receive a Wakeup frame according to a predetermined condition instead of setting the frame reception unit 101 to be able to receive a Wakeup frame every time (always). It may be set as follows. For example, the missing reception control unit 103 performs only reception intensity measurement (for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication)) of a radio wave received by the frame reception unit 101 during a frame receivable period. The frame receiving unit 101 may be set to receive the Wakeup frame only when the transmission of the Wakeup frame can be assumed from the result of the RSSI value measurement (for example, when the RSSI value is higher than the threshold).

  However, the intermittent reception control unit 103 performs a process of skipping the intermittent reception control process according to the control of the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 (a process that does not perform the intermittent reception control process even if the intermittent reception period elapses). It can be done. Hereinafter, the process of skipping the intermittent reception control process is referred to as “intermittent reception skip process”.

  The intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 performs processing for controlling the intermittent reception control unit 103 to perform intermittent reception skip processing. Specifically, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 includes information described about the timing of the intermittent skip process (information set in the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105, hereinafter referred to as “skip period information”). During the time period (hereinafter referred to as “intermittent reception skip period”), the intermittent reception control unit 103 is controlled to perform intermittent reception skip processing. This “skip period information” includes information on “intermittent skip period”, “period of intermittent skip period”, and “phase of intermittent skip period”. The “phase of the intermittent skip period” corresponds to, for example, information indicating the timing of starting the intermittent skip period (for example, an absolute time or a relative time difference from a predetermined time). .

  The skip period information exchanging unit 104 exchanges skip period information with another wireless communication apparatus 10 and performs a process of sharing the skip period information (a process of holding the same skip period information). Then, the skip period information exchanging unit 104 supplies the skip period information shared with other wireless communication devices 10 to the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 and the frame transmission unit 102.

  A specific method for the skip period information exchange unit 104 to share the skip period information with the transmitting-side wireless communication apparatus 10 is not limited. For example, common skip period information may be set in advance (for example, manually set by an operator) in the wireless communication device 10 on the transmission side and the wireless communication device 10 on the reception side. Processing for setting (for example, processing using an application for setting skip period information) may be performed. Further, for example, a process of communicating with each other and sharing skip period information (for example, a process of exchanging skip period information) between the radio communication apparatus 10 on the transmission side and the radio communication apparatus 10 on the reception side. You may make it perform.

  In addition, as a timing at which the skip period information exchange unit 104 shares the skip period information, for example, a period in which the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 does not control the intermittent reception control unit 103 to skip intermittent reception. It is desirable to carry out.

  When the skip period information exchange unit 104 shares the skip period information with another wireless communication apparatus 10, the skip period information differs between the other wireless communication apparatus and the own apparatus (data frame transmission side and reception side). If it is not (the content is not common), the skip period information on the data frame reception side may be shared information, or the skip period information on the transmission side may be shared information. Also good. In the wireless communication system 1, it is desirable that all wireless communication devices 10 are configured to exchange skip period information using the same algorithm.

  The skip period information exchange unit 104 may hold the skip period information in association with the identification information (for example, MAC address, host name, etc.) of each wireless communication device 10. Thereby, the frame transmission unit 102 can also perform control to which different skip period information is applied depending on the destination wireless communication device 10 during frame transmission. The frame transmission unit 102 acquires the skip period information of the radio communication device 10 on the reception side (destination), and the next frame can be received by the radio communication device 10 on the reception side (destination) according to the skip period information. Estimate the timing (frame receivable period). Then, the frame transmission unit 102 transmits the data frame after continuously transmitting the Wakeup frame for the period including the estimated timing. The frame transmitting unit 102 transmits a data frame to a node that does not share skip period information (or a node that supports only conventional CLS and cannot share skip period information). A frame may be transmitted according to the procedure.

  The intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 may be enabled to operate by switching between an operation mode in which the intermittent reception skip process is enabled and an operation mode in which the intermittent reception skip process is disabled. Then, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 initially disables the intermittent reception skip process (a state in which the skip period information exchange unit 104 has not yet shared skip period information with other wireless communication devices 10). It may operate in mode. Then, after that, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 may operate in an operation mode in which the intermittent reception skip process is enabled when the skip period information sharing with the other wireless communication device 10 is completed.

(A-2) Operation | movement of embodiment Next, operation | movement of the radio | wireless communications system 1 of this embodiment which has the above structures is demonstrated.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 10-1 is a data frame transmission side and the wireless communication device 10-2 is a data frame reception side.

[Data receiver operation]
First, the operation of the radio communication device 10-2 on the receiving side will be described using FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the timing at which intermittent reception control processing is performed in the reception-side wireless communication device 10-2. FIG. 3A is a timing chart when the intermittent reception skip process is invalid in the wireless communication apparatus 10-2. FIG. 3B is a timing chart when the intermittent reception skip process is valid in the wireless communication device 10-2.

  In the wireless communication apparatus 10-2, it is assumed that after the power is turned on, the skip period information exchanging unit 104 exchanges and shares skip period information with the wireless communication apparatus 10-1 on the transmission side.

  In the wireless communication device 10-2, after the skip period information is shared, the skip period information exchange unit 104 discloses (supplies) the shared skip period information to the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 and the frame transmission unit 102. The

  Then, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 of the wireless communication apparatus 10-2 controls the intermittent reception control unit 103 to perform intermittent reception skip processing according to the supplied skip period information.

  When the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 of the wireless communication apparatus 10-2 operates in the operation mode in which the intermittent reception skip process is invalidated, the intermittent reception skip unit 103 does not control the intermittent reception skip process. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3A, the intermittent reception control unit 103 of the wireless communication apparatus 10-2 controls the frame reception unit 101 for each intermittent reception period so that the Wakeup frame can be intermittently received. Let me.

  In addition, when the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 of the wireless communication device 10-2 operates in the operation mode in which the intermittent reception skip process is enabled with the set skip period information, The intermittent reception skip process is controlled. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 of the wireless communication apparatus 10-2 performs intermittent reception control in the intermittent reception skip period (schedule) according to the set skip period information. The unit 103 is controlled to execute the intermittent reception skip process.

[Data transmission side operation]
Next, the operation of radio communication apparatus 10-1 on the transmission side will be described using FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the timing at which a Wakeup frame and a data frame are transmitted / received between the wireless communication device 10-1 on the transmission side and the wireless communication device 10-2 on the reception side.

  In the wireless communication device 10-1, it is assumed that after the power is turned on, the skip period information exchanging unit 104 shares the skip period information with the receiving-side wireless communication device 10-2 (S101). In the wireless communication device 10-1, after the skip period information is shared, the skip period information exchange unit 104 discloses (supplies) the shared skip period information to the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 and the frame transmission unit 102.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that a data frame transmission request is generated by the frame transmission unit 102 of the wireless communication apparatus 10-1 in accordance with an instruction from an upper layer (S102).

  At this time, the frame transmission unit 102 of the wireless communication device 10-1 refers to the skip period information related to the wireless communication device 10-2 at the transmission destination (reception side), and then receives the frame at the wireless communication device 10-2. The timing of the possible period is estimated, and transmission of a Wakeup frame is waited until the estimated timing is reached (S103).

  The frame transmission unit 102 of the wireless communication device 10-1 then wakes up the wireless communication device 10-2 at the transmission destination (reception side) at the estimated timing (for example, a predetermined period before and after the estimated timing). Frame transmission (continuous transmission) is performed (S104), and then data frame transmission is performed (S105).

  At this time, it is assumed that the Wakeup frame is received in the frame receivable period in the radio communication device 10-2 (frame receiving unit 101) on the receiving side (S201). When receiving the Wakeup frame, the wireless communication device 10-2 (frame reception unit 101) on the reception side waits to receive a data frame at a timing according to the contents of the Wakeup frame and receives the data frame that has arrived from the transmission side. (S202). Then, the wireless communication device 10-2 (frame reception unit 101) on the reception side returns a frame (ACK frame) that acknowledges the data frame to the transmission side (S203), and the ACK frame is transmitted on the transmission side. It will be received (S106).

(A-3) Effects of Embodiment According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  The receiving-side wireless communication device 10 of this embodiment supports intermittent reception skip processing (function of skipping intermittent reception of CSL for a certain period of time). In addition, the wireless communication device 10 on the transmitting side and the receiving side of this embodiment supports processing for exchanging and sharing skip period information (a function for exchanging information for skipping CSL intermittent reception). Furthermore, in the wireless communication device 10 on the transmission side according to this embodiment, the timing of the frame on which reception is possible is estimated according to the skip period information shared with the reception side, and the Wakeup frame is transmitted at the estimated timing. Yes. As described above, in the wireless communication device 10, a reception period (frame reception is possible) compared to the conventional CSL by adding only a part of functions to the conventional CSL (IEEE 802.15.4) process. Period) can be reduced. As a result, the wireless communication device 10 can extend the intermittent reception period while maintaining the CSL framework, reduce power consumption, and achieve a long life.

  In the conventional CLS, the upper limit of the intermittent reception period is 6 seconds. However, in this embodiment, the intermittent reception control unit 103 can easily implement substantial extension of the intermittent reception time simply by adding a function of skipping the intermittent reception control process to the normal operation of the CLS. .

  In addition, the wireless communication device 10 according to this embodiment is a conventional CSL even if the receiving wireless communication device does not support the intermittent reception skip processing or the like (that is, only supports the conventional CSL). Communication can be performed by asynchronous communication. That is, even if the wireless communication device 10 of this embodiment and a conventional wireless communication device are mixed, the communication is possible.

(B) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include modified embodiments as exemplified below.

  (B-1) In the above embodiment, when the intermittent reception skip period is a multiple (multiplication) of the intermittent reception period, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 may omit the timer for measuring the intermittent reception skip period. it can. In this case, for example, the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 only needs to count the number of times the intermittent reception control unit 103 skips intermittent reception and cause the intermittent reception control unit 103 to skip intermittent reception for the intermittent reception skip period. . That is, in this case, if the intermittent reception skip period control unit 105 prepares only a counter for how many times intermittent reception is skipped, a timer for measuring the intermittent reception skip period itself can be omitted, so that implementation is easy. Become.

  (B-2) In the above embodiment, when the intermittent reception skip period becomes a long period (for example, one hour or more), a synchronization shift occurs due to an individual difference of clocks for measuring time for each wireless communication device 10, Frame synchronous communication may fail. Therefore, in the above embodiment, when a long period is set as the intermittent reception skip period, it is desirable to perform clock correction (clock synchronization) between the wireless communication devices 10. For example, a parameter for performing clock correction (hereinafter referred to as “clock correction information”) may be measured and held between the wireless communication apparatuses 10 and used for measurement of the intermittent reception skip period. The measurement and use method of the clock correction information is desirably one of the following first clock correction method and first clock correction method.

  First, the first clock correction method will be described. In the first clock correction method, the clock correction information is measured by measuring how much value the period specified by the receiving side (that is, the intermittent reception skip period on the receiving side) becomes by using the clock on the transmitting side. Is done. In the first clock correction method, the transmission side uses the clock value measured with the clock correction information for transmission timing calculation (that is, the clock whose width for shifting the transmission timing is measured with the clock correction information). Clock correction (use of clock correction information) is performed.

  Next, the second clock correction method will be described. In the second clock correction method, the absolute correction of the intermittent reception skip period shared between the transmission side and the reception side is measured by using a clock on the transmission side to determine the value of the clock correction information. Measurement is performed. In the second clock correction method, the transmission side uses the clock value measured with the clock correction information for transmission timing calculation (that is, the clock whose width for shifting the transmission timing is measured with the clock correction information). Clock correction (use of clock correction information) is performed.

  (B-3) In the wireless communication device 10 on the receiving side in the above embodiment, assuming that a synchronization error has occurred, if there is no communication during a predetermined period, synchronization with the transmitting side is performed. It may be determined that a deviation has occurred, and an operation mode in which the intermittent reception skip process is invalidated (transition to communication according to normal CSL) may be performed.

  (B-4) In the above embodiment, all the wireless communication devices 10 correspond to the function of transmitting and receiving data frames, but may be configured as a communication device corresponding to one of them. . For example, the wireless communication device 10-1 on the transmission side may include only a configuration that can execute processing on the transmission side of the data frame (for example, a configuration that performs only the processing on the transmission side in FIG. 4). For example, the radio communication device 10-2 on the receiving side may include only a configuration capable of executing processing on the data frame receiving side (for example, a configuration that performs only processing on the receiving side in FIG. 4).

  (B-5) In the above embodiment, an example in which the communication apparatus of the present invention is applied to a wireless communication apparatus has been described. However, a communication apparatus that performs wired (for example, a communication apparatus using a wired LAN cable as a communication medium) communication. You may make it apply to.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless communication system 10, 10-1, 10-2 ... Wireless communication apparatus, 101 ... Frame receiving part, 102 ... Frame transmission part, 103 ... Intermittent reception control part, 104 ... Skip period information exchange part, 105 ... Intermittent Reception skip period control unit.

Claims (16)

In a communication system comprising a communication device on the transmission side and a communication device on the reception side,
The communication device on the receiving side is
Frame receiving means for receiving a frame;
Intermittent reception control means for performing intermittent reception control processing for making the frame reception means intermittently capable of receiving frames every first period;
A receiving-side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping the intermittent reception control processing with the communication device on the transmission side;
Skip control means for performing intermittent reception skip processing for skipping intermittent reception control processing of the intermittent reception control means during a second period according to the intermittent control information shared by the reception side intermittent control information sharing means,
The transmission side communication device is:
A transmission side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing the intermittent control information with the communication device on the reception side;
The frame is transmitted, and based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means, the timing at which the receiving-side communication device is ready to receive a frame is estimated, and at the estimated timing And a frame transmission means for transmitting a frame to the communication device on the receiving side.   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent control information includes at least a length of the second period and phase information related to a phase of the second period.   3. The transmission-side intermittent control information sharing unit holds intermittent control information supplied from the reception-side communication device as intermittent control information shared with the reception-side communication device. The communication system according to 1.   The skip control means is operable by switching to either an operation mode in which intermittent reception skip processing is enabled or an operation mode in which intermittent reception skip processing is disabled. A communication system according to claim 1.   The skip control means operates in an operation mode in which the initial intermittent reception skip process is invalidated, and after the reception-side intermittent control information sharing means shares intermittent control information with the transmission-side communication device, the intermittent reception skip process is performed. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the communication system operates by switching to an operation mode in which the function is enabled.   6. The upper limit value is provided in the first period, and a period longer than the upper limit value of the first period is set in the second period. Communication system.   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second period is a multiplication of the first period.   8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an intermittent reception control unit that intermittently checks the RSSI value and sets the frame reception unit to a frame reception enabled state when the RSSI value is higher than a threshold value. The communication system described. In a communication method of a communication system comprising a communication device on the transmission side and a communication device on the reception side,
The communication device on the receiving side includes frame receiving means, intermittent reception control means, reception side intermittent control information sharing means, and skip control means,
The communication device on the transmission side includes transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means and frame transmission means,
The frame receiving means receives a frame,
The intermittent reception control means performs an intermittent reception control process for making the frame reception means intermittently capable of receiving frames every first period;
The reception side intermittent control information sharing means shares the intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping the intermittent reception control processing with the transmission side communication device,
The skip control means performs an intermittent reception skip process for skipping the intermittent reception control process of the intermittent reception control means during a second period according to the intermittent control information shared by the reception-side intermittent control information sharing means,
The transmission side intermittent control information sharing means shares the intermittent control information with the receiving side communication device,
The frame transmitting means transmits a frame, and estimates the timing at which the receiving communication apparatus is ready to receive a frame based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmitting-side intermittent control information sharing means. A frame is transmitted to the receiving side communication device at the estimated timing. The communication device on the transmission side further includes intermittent reception control means,
The communication method according to claim 9, wherein the intermittent reception control means intermittently checks the RSSI value and sets the frame reception means to a frame reception enabled state when the RSSI value is higher than a threshold value. In a communication device that receives a frame from a transmission-side communication device,
Frame receiving means for receiving a frame;
Intermittent reception control means for performing intermittent reception control processing for making the frame reception means intermittently capable of receiving frames every first period;
A receiving-side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping the intermittent reception control processing with the communication device on the transmission side;
Skip control means for performing intermittent reception skip processing for skipping intermittent reception control processing of the intermittent reception control means during a second period according to intermittent control information shared by the reception side intermittent control information sharing means. A communication device.   The communication apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: an intermittent reception control unit that intermittently checks the RSSI value and sets the frame reception unit to a frame receivable state when the RSSI value is higher than a threshold value. In a communication device that transmits a frame to a communication device on the receiving side,
Transmitting side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping intermittent reception control processing to be able to receive frames intermittently for each first period, with the receiving side communication device;
The frame is transmitted, and based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means, the timing at which the receiving-side communication device is ready to receive a frame is estimated, and at the estimated timing And a frame transmission means for transmitting a frame to the receiving communication apparatus. A computer mounted on a communication device that receives a frame from a communication device on the transmission side,
Frame receiving means for receiving a frame;
Intermittent reception control means for performing intermittent reception control processing for making the frame reception means intermittently capable of receiving frames every first period;
A receiving-side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping the intermittent reception control processing with the communication device on the transmission side;
In accordance with the intermittent control information shared by the reception-side intermittent control information sharing unit, the intermittent reception control unit skips the intermittent reception control process of the intermittent reception control unit during a second period. A featured communication program.   15. The computer according to claim 14, wherein the computer further functions as an intermittent reception control unit that intermittently checks the RSSI value and, when the RSSI value is higher than a threshold value, sets the frame reception unit to a frame reception enabled state. The communication program described. A computer mounted on a communication device that transmits a frame to a communication device on the receiving side.
Transmitting side intermittent control information sharing means for sharing intermittent control information related to the timing of skipping intermittent reception control processing to be able to receive frames intermittently for each first period, with the receiving side communication device;
The frame is transmitted, and based on the intermittent control information shared by the transmission-side intermittent control information sharing means, the timing at which the receiving-side communication device is ready to receive a frame is estimated, and at the estimated timing And a frame transmission means for transmitting a frame to the communication device on the receiving side.

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