Gateway device and wireless control network management system using the same

The present invention relates to a gateway device and a wireless control network management system using the gateway device, and more particularly to improving the reliability of the system.

In recent years, for example, it has been proposed to configure a process control system in industrial automation as a wireless control network system using wireless communication. This is because the conventional control system was configured as a wired network, so sensors that measure temperature, flow rate, etc. can be installed at the optimum position in the plant due to restrictions on communication distance and wiring routing. However, this is to eliminate the inconvenience that the control accuracy is lowered.

In addition, a wireless control network management system for controlling the operation of this wireless control network system and optimizing the operation of the entire plant has been proposed.

Prior art documents related to such a conventional wireless control network management system include the following.

<patcit num="1"><text>Special Table 2005-515695</text></patcit>

FIG. 7 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of a wireless control network management system using a conventional gateway device. In FIG. 7, the conventional wireless control network management system has a monitoring control host 1 that collects and stores data from wireless nodes 41 to 48 to control the entire system, and a gateway device 2 that communicates with each wireless node. 3 (hereinafter referred to as GW device, also referred to as GW in the figure) and various functions and measurement data of field equipment such as a sensor function that measures physical quantities such as temperature and flow rate, or an actuator function that controls a control valve. It is composed of wireless nodes 41 to 48 (represented as WN in the figure) having a wireless communication function for wireless transmission.

That is, the wireless nodes 41 to 48 have the functions of various field devices (hereinafter referred to as field devices) such as a differential pressure gauge, a flow meter, a thermometer, an actuator, and a controller.

The monitoring and control host 1 (hereinafter referred to as the host) that performs data communication with each wireless node is connected to the GW devices 2 and 3 via the IP network NW100 in which data communication is performed by the IP protocol.

The GW device 2 is connected to the wireless nodes 41 and 42 via a wireless network line (hereinafter referred to as a wireless line), and the GW device 3 is connected to the wireless nodes 42 and 43 via a wireless network line (hereinafter referred to as a wireless line). Will be done.

The wireless node 41 is connected to the wireless node 44 via the wireless line, the wireless node 42 is connected to the wireless nodes 44 and 45 via the wireless line, and the wireless node 43 is connected to the wireless node 45 via the wireless line. ..

Further, the wireless node 44 is connected to the wireless nodes 46 and 47 via the wireless line, and the wireless node 45 is connected to the wireless nodes 47 and 48 via the wireless line.

The wireless nodes 41 to 48 form a mesh-type multi-hop wireless network. That is, the GW devices 2 and 3 and the host 1 form a wired network, and the GW devices 2 and 3 and the wireless nodes 41 to 48 form a wireless network.

Although not particularly shown, the GW devices 2 and 3 communicate with the host 1 or another GW device 2 or 3 via the IP network NW100, which is a wireless communication means for wireless communication with the wireless node, based on the IP protocol. Consists of a communication means (wired) that performs the above, an arithmetic control unit that controls the operation of each means, a storage means that stores a program for operating as a GW device and route information from the own device to the host 1. Has been done.

In addition, the wireless nodes 41 to 48 are wireless communication means for wireless communication with other wireless nodes and GW devices 2 or 3, an arithmetic control unit for controlling the operation of each means, a program for operating as a wireless node, and the like. It is composed of storage means that stores route information and the like from the wireless node to the GW device.

Here, the wireless nodes 41 to 48 perform route search together with address / name resolution, or the operator sets route information for each wireless node in advance to transfer data to the GW device 2 or 3. I know in advance.

In addition, GW devices 2 and 3 also perform route search along with address / name resolution, and the operator sets route information for each wireless node in advance to reach each wireless node 41 to 48 or host 1. I know the information in advance.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of data communication between the host 1 and the wireless node 47 in the conventional wireless control network management system, and an explanation of the operation (explanation of each step) is also described in FIG.

In step SP101, the host 1 resolves the route destined for the radio node 47 based on the route information, that is, selects the GW device (for example, the GW device 2) to pass through. The GW device can be selected by either a method in which the operator specifies a default gateway or a method in which ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) used in an IP network is used.

In step SP102, host 1 uses the IP protocol to send data to GW device 2 over the IP network NW100.

In step SP103, the GW device 2 transmits data received from the host 1 via the IP network NW100 via a wireless communication means (not shown) to perform data communication with the wireless node 47. Therefore, for example, the data structure for the IP protocol is wireless. Convert the communication protocol to data for the mesh protocol used in the network NW200.

In step SP104, the GW device 2 selects the optimum route for delivering data to the radio node 47 based on the route information, and transmits the data to the radio node 41 on the mesh network via the radio line. Typical examples of the mesh route selection method (routing method) include ZigBee and ISA100.11a.

In step SP105, the radio node 41 selects the optimum route for delivering the data to the radio node 47 based on the route information, and transmits the data received from the GW device 2 to the radio node 44 via the radio line.

In step SP106, the wireless node 44 transmits the data received from the wireless node 41 to the wireless node 47 via the wireless line based on the route information.

In this way, in the wireless control network management system using the conventional gateway device, the valve opening of the control valve is adjusted to the wireless node in which the host 1 has an actuator function, for example, by allowing data communication between the host 1 and each wireless node. It is possible to send and receive control data for this purpose, and it is possible to support the optimum operation of the plant.

<p> However, conventional gateway devices and wireless control network management systems that use them have unique error factors such as obstacles and noise in wireless communication, and when these communication failures occur on the mesh network, host 1 , GW devices 2 and 3, and wireless nodes 41 to 48 have a problem that the possibility of data loss increases.</p><p> In addition, a technology that can avoid the above communication failure by using the route redundancy of the mesh network has been proposed, but even with such a technology, a wireless communication failure occurs in a wide area or around the GW device. There was a problem that the error could not be avoided when it occurred.</p><p> In addition, depending on the positional relationship between the GW device selected by host 1 and the wireless node as the data transmission destination, the distance of the mesh path, that is, the physical distance between the wireless nodes and the number of hops increases, and a wireless communication error occurs. There was a problem that the possibility of doing so increased.</p><p> Further, in order to avoid such a problem, it has been proposed to use a mechanism for selecting the optimum route by updating the mesh route to the latest when the host selects and resolves the GW device, for example. However, even with such a technology, it is generally necessary to exchange data such as broadcasting control packets and notifying communication link information in order to update the mesh route, and if this is done excessively, packet flooding will occur. There is a problem that there is a high possibility of causing a communication failure such as an increase in load due to congestion and radio wave interference.</p><p> It is also possible to mitigate the effects of congestion by adjusting the frequency of route updates, but since the communication environment of the wireless network changes according to changes in physical conditions and movement of wireless nodes, it depends on the frequency of updates. Has a problem that it becomes difficult to maintain the optimum route.</p><p> The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the reliability of a wireless control network management system.</p>

<p> In order to achieve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is In a gateway device that relays data communication between a monitoring and control host connected via a wired network and multiple wireless nodes that are connected via a wireless line and constitute a wireless network. A wireless communication means for transmitting data from the monitoring control host to at least one of the wireless nodes. The gateway device is characterized in that the wireless communication means includes a redirection means for transmitting the data to the wireless node and also transferring the data to another gateway device connected to a wired network.</p><p> The invention according to claim 2 is the gateway device according to claim 1. A radio that exchanges and shares a list of radio nodes in which at least the network address of each radio node and the communication quality of the radio line between the radio nodes are stored with another gateway device via the wired network. Has node list management means The redirection means Based on the wireless node list of another gateway device obtained by the wireless node list management means, a communication path having good communication quality from the own unit to the wireless node which is the final destination of data from the monitoring control host is obtained. It is characterized in that each of the gateway devices connected to the constituent wireless nodes is selected and the data is transferred.</p><p> The invention according to claim 3 is the gateway device according to claim 1 or 2. A wired communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the monitoring / control host and the other gateway device via the wired network. A storage means for storing the radio node list and route information, and Based on the data from the monitoring control host and the wireless node list, a wireless node that constitutes a communication path with good communication quality from the own unit to the final destination wireless node as the wireless node of the next hop to be transmitted is selected. Route selection means to select and A communication protocol conversion means for mutually converting communication data based on the communication protocol used in the wired network and communication data based on the communication protocol used in the wireless network. A wireless communication means for transmitting data from the monitoring control host converted into communication data by the communication protocol used in the wireless network by the communication protocol conversion means to a wireless node selected by the route selection means. It is characterized by doing.</p><p> The invention according to claim 4 A wireless control network management system in which a monitoring control host connected to a plurality of gateway devices via a wired network and a plurality of wireless nodes constituting the wireless network perform data communication via at least one of the gateway devices. In A wireless control network management system including the gateway device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.</p>

<p> According to the gateway device according to the present invention and the wireless control network management system using the same, the wireless communication means transmits data to the wireless node, and the redirect means transmits this data to another gateway device connected to the wired network. By also transferring data, the data transmission path of the mesh network can be made redundant, and as a result, it becomes easier to avoid wireless communication failures (obstacles and noise), and the reliability of the wireless control network management system is improved.</p><p> Further, in the present invention, since it is possible to appropriately select the GW device that redirects according to the change in the environment in the plant, it is possible to enhance the robustness of the wireless network and enhance the reliability of the entire plant system.</p>

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an example of a wireless control network management system using the gateway device according to the present invention, and the same reference numerals are given to the means common to those in FIG. 7 and the like, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. To do. The difference between FIGS. 1 and 7 is that in FIG. 1, the GW devices 2 and 3 have a redirection means for transferring the data addressed to the radio node received from the host 1 to another GW device 3 or 2.

In FIG. 1, the wireless control network management system according to the present invention includes a monitoring control host 1 (hereinafter referred to as host 1) and gateway devices 2 and 3 (hereinafter referred to as GW device, which is also referred to as GW in the figure). , Radio nodes 41 to 48 (represented as WN in the figure).

Host 1 collects and stores data from wireless nodes 41 to 48 and controls the entire system. GW devices 2 and 3 communicate with each wireless node.

The wireless nodes 41 to 48 have various functions of field equipment such as a sensor function for measuring physical quantities such as temperature and flow rate, an actuator function for controlling a control valve, and a wireless communication function for wirelessly transmitting measurement data. That is, the wireless nodes 41 to 48 have the functions of various field devices (hereinafter referred to as field devices) such as a differential pressure gauge, a flow meter, a thermometer, an actuator, and a controller.

The monitoring and control host 1 (hereinafter referred to as the host) that performs data communication with each wireless node is connected to the GW devices 2 and 3 via the IP network NW100 in which data communication is performed by the IP protocol.

The GW device 2 is connected to the wireless nodes 41 and 42 via a wireless network line (hereinafter referred to as a wireless line), and the GW device 3 is connected to the wireless nodes 42 and 43 via a wireless network line (hereinafter referred to as a wireless line). Will be done.

The wireless node 41 is connected to the wireless node 44 via the wireless line, the wireless node 42 is connected to the wireless nodes 44 and 45 via the wireless line, and the wireless node 43 is connected to the wireless node 45 via the wireless line. ..

Further, the wireless node 44 is connected to the wireless nodes 46 and 47 via the wireless line, and the wireless node 45 is connected to the wireless nodes 47 and 48 via the wireless line.

The wireless nodes 41 to 48 form a mesh-type multi-hop wireless network. That is, the GW devices 2 and 3 and the host 1 form a wired network, and the GW devices 2 and 3 and the wireless nodes 41 to 48 form a wireless network.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of the wireless communication function of the GW device 2 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the wireless communication means 21 and the communication means 22 (wired communication means) are connected to the arithmetic control unit 23, and the arithmetic control unit 23 is connected to the storage means 24.

The communication means 22 mainly performs data communication with the host 1 based on, for example, the TCP / IP protocol with the host 1. The wireless communication means 21 includes, for example, an antenna element for transmitting and receiving wireless communication, and mainly performs wireless communication with wireless nodes 41 to 42 and other wireless nodes (not shown).

The arithmetic control unit 23 (for example, CPU) controls various functions and operations of each means. The storage means 24 is, for example, RAM or ROM, and is mainly a program or application for operating as an OS or GW device, data used when executing these programs, and route information from the own device to the host 1. Stores various information such as.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram of a functional block of the arithmetic control unit 23 constituting the GW device 2 of FIG. The arithmetic control unit 23 includes data transmission / reception means 23a, relay table management means 23b, wireless node information management means 23c, route information management means 23d, acquisition data management means 23e, communication setting means 23f, and redirect means 23g. And has a route selection means 23h.

The data transmission / reception means 23a mainly performs protocol conversion for interconnecting a wired network and a wireless network, generates a data frame for communication, and controls the wireless communication means 21 and the communication means 22 to transmit / receive data. Do. Further, the data transmission / reception means 23a has a function of relaying data in multi-hop communication. Any data relay algorithm may be used.

The protocol conversion for interconnecting the wired network and the wireless network by the data transmission / reception means 23a transfers the data based on the mutual final destination address information contained in the packet data itself received from the host 1 or each wireless node. ..

The relay table management means 23b creates and manages a relay table for the GW device to perform mutual address translation based on an ID (for example, an IP address) that can be commonly recognized by both network systems of both wired and wireless networks. To do.

The relay table management means 23b dynamically extracts and registers the address of each device based on the advertisement packet or other data from the host device or the wireless node as a method of registering and managing the information of the wireless node, and the relay table is a relay table. To create. Alternatively, the relay table may be created based on the information statically registered by the operator in advance.

The wireless node information management means 23c mainly has a wireless node address management function that can be reached from its own device, and registers and stores a wireless node list that stores these wireless node information in the storage means 24, and stores this list. Notify each GW device 22 for mutual sharing with other GW devices (eg, operate based on the data exchange protocol).

The information of the wireless node managed by the wireless node information management means 23c includes, for example, information such as an address, ID, and name for identifying the wireless node, and the address of another GW device that can reach the wireless node. Further, the wireless node information management means 23c may register and store the wireless network configuration.

In addition, this wireless node list includes a communication quality index from the GW device to the wireless node (for example, the number of hops) and information that shows the physical arrangement of the GW device (for example, position information by GPS (Global Positioning System)). May be included.

The route information management means 23d mainly stores the route information from the own device to the host 1 or from the own device to the wireless nodes 41 to 48. In addition, route control data including network information such as the installation location and address of the GW device is notified to each wireless node.

The route information only needs to store at least the destination of the next hop such as the IP address of the wireless node or the GW device and the final destination which is the IP address of the GW device. Are associated with each other.

Further, the route cost information is an index showing the communication quality of the entire route from the source of the data to the destination of the data. For example, the number of hops and the reception strength of the radio wave calculated by each wireless node and the GW device, respectively. The integrated value, bit error rate, position information (using GPS, three-point survey, etc.), etc. may be used.

The route information management means 23d dynamically performs search processing as a method of registering and managing route information, receives a route control packet delivered from each radio node or another GW device, and uses it as its own route information, or Route information is created by dynamically extracting and registering the address of each device based on advertisement packets or other data from the host device or wireless node. Alternatively, the operator may manually and statically register the route information in advance.

The acquired data management means 23e stores the data (measurement data, etc.) received from the wireless nodes 41 to 48 received via the wireless communication means 21 and extracted and acquired by the data transmission / reception means 23a in the storage means 24.

The communication setting means 23f changes the settings related to the physical characteristics of the wireless communication such as the output, frequency, and modulation method of the wireless communication means 21, and stores these wireless communication setting information in the storage means 24.

The redirection means 23g redirects (transfers) the data received from the host 1 to the predetermined wireless node to another GW device via the IP network NW100. The redirect means 23g determines the redirect destination by referring to the wireless node list.

Further, the redirect means 23g may use an arbitrary algorithm based on the possessed node information for the number of GW devices to be selected as the redirect destination and the selection criteria.

This algorithm may be fixed in advance or may be such that the policy can be changed in the middle during system operation. Specifically, the redirect means 23g uses a predetermined index (communication quality to the final destination radio node, physical distance between gateways) stored in the radio node list in order to optimize the mesh route. Based on this, an algorithm that selects the redirect destination GW device is used. By using these indexes, the communication quality between individual gateways and wireless nodes is optimal, and by using a physically dispersed GW device, congestion of radio waves can be alleviated.

The route selection means 23h has good communication quality from the GW device 2 to the final destination radio node of the data received from the host 1 as the radio node of the next hop to be transmitted based on the data from the host 1 and the radio node list. Select the wireless nodes that make up the communication path.

Further, although not particularly shown, the GW device 3 has the same configuration as the GW device 2 described above.

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of the wireless communication function of the wireless node 41 of FIG. In FIG. 4, the wireless communication means 41a is connected to the arithmetic control unit 41b, and the arithmetic control unit 41b is connected to the storage means 41c.

The wireless communication means 41a mainly communicates with the GW device, and for example, performs data communication based on the TCP / IP protocol with the GW device. The wireless communication means 41a mainly performs wireless communication with other wireless nodes and other GW devices (not shown).

The arithmetic control unit 41b (for example, CPU) controls various functions and operations of each means. The storage means 41c mainly contains programs and applications for operating as an OS and a wireless node, data used when executing these programs, and route information from the own node to another wireless node or GW device. Various information such as route cost information, output in wireless communication of each GW device, frequency, physical characteristic information of wireless communication such as modulation method, etc. are stored. The wireless nodes 42 to 48 have the same configuration as the wireless nodes 41.

The route information only needs to store at least the destination of the next hop such as the IP address of the wireless node or the GW device and the final destination which is the IP address of the GW device. Are associated with each other.

Further, the route cost information is an index showing the communication quality of the entire route from the source of the data to the destination of the data. For example, the number of hops and the reception strength of the radio wave calculated by each wireless node and the GW device, respectively. The integrated value, bit error rate, position information (using GPS, three-point survey, etc.), etc. may be used.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram of a functional block of the arithmetic control unit 41b constituting the wireless node 41 of FIG. The data transmission / reception means mainly generates a data frame and transmits / receives data. The route information storage means mainly stores the next hop address, route information until reaching each radio node or GW device, route cost information, and the like.

The route information providing means notifies the other wireless node of network information such as the installation location and address of the own node and the other wireless node.

The route selection means is based on the route information of the route information storage means, the route cost information, and the physical characteristics of the wireless communication such as the output, frequency, and modulation method in the wireless communication of other wireless nodes or GW devices 2 and 3. Select the optimal route to transfer the measurement data to the wireless node or GW device. The sensor means controls a sensor (not shown) to measure physical quantities such as flow rate and temperature.

Further, although not particularly shown, the host 1 in FIG. 1 is a communication means for data communication in the IP network NW100, a function for resolving the network address of the transfer destination wireless node and the GW device, and a control application for monitoring the wireless network. Arithmetic control unit that controls each function of host 1 such as execution control function, programs and applications mainly for operating as OS and host 1, data used when executing these programs, host 1 to GW It is provided with a storage means for storing route information and the like until reaching the devices 2 and 3.

Any method can be used by host 1 to resolve the address of the transfer destination wireless node or GW device, and ARP, IPv6 Neighbor Discovery, or an extended address resolution mechanism is used on the IP network NW100. It may be a thing.

In the present invention, it has been described that data communication is performed via the IP network NW100, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, and other network systems such as FF (Foundation Fieldbus (registered trademark)), MODBUS, BACnet, etc. It may use an industrial network.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in which each wireless node information of the gateway device according to the present invention and the wireless control network management system used thereof is registered in the GW device, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of data received by the GW device according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation which redirects to another GW device. In addition, the explanation of the operation (explanation of each step) is also described in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In step SP201 in FIG. 5, a mesh network is formed between the radio nodes 41 to 48 and the GW devices 2 and 3. Specifically, each radio node 41 to 48 and the GW devices 2 and 3 may be manually and fixedly set by an operator to form a mesh network, or each radio node 41 to 48 may be a route. A mesh network may be constructed by dynamically establishing a route by performing a search. When the latter method is used, for example, a mechanism in which the GW device delivers route information into the wireless network can be used.

In step SP202, the radio node information management means 23c of the GW device 2 or 3 acquires the radio node information of the radio nodes 41 to 48, registers the radio node information in the storage unit 24, and stores the information. It may be repeated until the radio node information of all the radio nodes on the mesh network is registered.

Specifically, wireless nodes 41 to 48 send registration request packets to GW devices 2 and 3, and the wireless node information management means of GW devices 2 and 3 extracts necessary wireless nodes from these registered packets and wireless node information. Stored in the wireless node list as. Alternatively, it may be set in advance in the wireless node list by the operator.

In step SP203, the radio node information management means 23c of the GW device 2 or 3 shares the radio node list with other GW devices.

Specifically, the wireless node information management means of the GW device periodically exchanges data including the wireless node list with the GW devices 2 and 3 and other GW devices via the IP network NW100. Alternatively, the wireless node information management means of the GW device notifies the GW device 2 or 3 and other GW devices of the difference in the wireless node list when the wireless node list is updated and changed due to the addition / deletion of the wireless node. It may be a thing.

As described above, the GW device according to the present invention wirelessly grasps the wireless node information of the wireless nodes constituting the mesh network and mutually shares the wireless node information with other GW devices via the wired network. It is possible to grasp and record information on each wireless node of the control network management system.

In step SP301 in FIG. 6, the host 1 selects a GW device that constitutes an optimum mesh network route in order to transmit data with the final destination as the radio node 47. Specifically, the host 1 configures the optimum route and the optimum route based on the route information stored in the storage unit and the route cost information such as the communication quality of each hop to the final destination radio node 47. Select GW device 2 or 3 to be used.

In step SP302, host 1 transmits data to GW device 2 selected in step SP301 via the IP network NW100.

In step SP303, the route selection means 23h of the GW device 2 extracts the final transmission destination (wireless node 47) from the data received from the host 1, and owns the machine based on the relay table of the storage unit 24, the route information, and the route cost information. Select the radio node 41 that constitutes the optimal mesh network route from to the final destination.

Specifically, the route selection means 23h communicates with good communication quality from the GW device 2 to the final destination wireless node as the wireless node of the next hop to be transmitted based on the data from the host 1 and the wireless node list. Select the radio node 41 that constitutes the route.

In step SP304, the data transmission / reception means 23a of the GW device 2 performs protocol conversion for interconnecting the wired network and the wireless network based on the data received from the host 1, and performs a data frame for communicating with each wireless node. Generate and control the wireless communication means 21 to transmit data to the wireless node 41 selected in step SP303. The flow of data transferred from the GW device 2 to the wireless node 41 is described in steps SP306 to SP307 described later.

In step SP305, the redirect means 23g of the GW device 2 extracts the final destination (wireless node 47) from the data received from the host 1, and is based on the wireless node list of the storage unit 24, its route information, route cost information, and the like. Then, select the GW device 3 that constitutes the mesh network route from the own device to the final destination, and redirect (transfer) to the GW device 3 via the IP network NW100. The data flow from the GW device 3 to the wireless node 47 is described in steps SP308 to SP310 described later.

At this time, the redirect means 23g may use an arbitrary algorithm based on the possessed node information for the number of GW devices to be selected as the redirect destination and the selection criteria, and may be applied to a plurality of GW devices via the IP network NW100. It may be something that redirects (transfers) data. Therefore, it goes through a plurality of GW devices, and the data transmission path of the mesh network can be made redundant.

In addition, the redirect means 23g is from its own machine based on the wireless node list of the storage unit 24, its route information / route cost information (communication quality to the wireless node which is the final destination, physical distance between GW devices), and the like. Select a GW device that constitutes a mesh network route to the final destination, has the optimum communication quality between each wireless node that constitutes the mesh network route, and is physically distributed. It may be one that redirects (transfers) data.

In other words, the redirect means 23g is a communication with good communication quality from the own unit to the wireless node which is the final destination of the data from the host 1 based on the wireless node list of the other gateway device obtained by the wireless node information management means. Select each gateway device connected to the wireless nodes that make up the route and transfer the data.

Therefore, the congestion of radio waves can be alleviated by using a GW device in which the communication quality between each gateway and the wireless node is optimal and physically dispersed.

On the other hand, in step SP306, the wireless node 41 extracts the final destination (radio node 47) from the data received from the GW device 2, and from the own node to the final destination based on the route information and route cost information of the storage unit. The radio node 44 that constitutes the optimum route for delivering data to the radio node 47 that constitutes the optimum mesh network route of the above is selected, and the received data is transmitted to the radio node 44 via the radio line.

In step SP307, the wireless node 44 extracts the final destination (radio node 47) from the data received from the wireless node 41, and based on the route information and route cost information of the storage unit, the radio node 44 optimizes from its own node to the final destination. A mesh network route is selected and the received data is transmitted to the wireless node 47 via the wireless line.

On the other hand, in step SP308, the route selection means of the GW device 3 extracts the final transmission destination (radio node 47) from the data received from the host 1, and finally transmits from the own machine based on the route information and the route cost information of the storage unit. Select the radio node 43 that constitutes the optimum mesh network route up to the point.

Specifically, the route selection means communicates with good communication quality from the GW device 3 to the final destination radio node 47 as the radio node of the next hop to be transmitted based on the data from the host 1 and the radio node list. Select the radio node 43 that makes up the route

In step SP309, the data transmission / reception means of the GW device 3 performs protocol conversion for interconnecting the wired network and the wireless network based on the data received from the host 1, and generates a data frame for communicating with each wireless node. It controls the wireless communication means and transmits the data to the wireless node 43 selected in step SP308.

In step SP310, the wireless node 43 extracts the final destination (radio node 47) from the data received from the GW device 3, and based on the route information and route cost information of the storage unit, the radio node 43 optimizes from its own node to the final destination. The radio node 45 that constitutes the optimum route for delivering data to the radio node 47 that constitutes the mesh network route is selected, and the received data is transmitted to the radio node 45 via the radio line.

In step SP311, the wireless node 45 extracts the final destination (radio node 47) from the data received from the wireless node 43, and based on the route information and route cost information of the storage unit, the radio node 45 optimizes from its own node to the final destination. A mesh network route is selected and the received data is transmitted to the wireless node 47 via the wireless line.

In this way, the wireless communication means transmits data to the wireless node, and the redirect means transfers this data to other gateway devices connected to the wired network, thereby making the data transmission path of the mesh network redundant. As a result, it becomes easier to avoid wireless communication failures (obstacles and noise), and the reliability of the wireless control network management system is improved.

Further, in the present invention, since it is possible to appropriately select the GW device that redirects according to the change in the environment in the plant, it is possible to enhance the robustness of the wireless network and enhance the reliability of the entire plant system.

Further, in the present invention, the wireless communication means transmits data to the wireless node, and the redirect means transfers this data to another gateway device connected to the wired network, so that the host 1 and each wireless node are redundant. By being able to perform data communication, for example, the reliability of data communication of control data for adjusting the valve opening of the control valve to the wireless node having the function of the actuator is improved, and the optimum operation of the plant is supported. be able to.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a wireless control network management system supports the operation of a plant in industrial automation has been described, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this, for example, a water purification plant control system in factory automation or a building. It may support the operation of the air conditioning / lighting system of the above.

For example, in a building automation system, when lights and switches are used as wireless nodes, radio interference is likely to occur because there are many obstacles such as equipment and fixtures inside the building where the wireless nodes are installed.

In this case, if the gateway device according to the present invention and the wireless control network management system using the gateway device are introduced, the wireless communication path can be made redundant by a plurality of GW devices, so that the robustness and communication stability of the wireless network can be achieved. Sex can be guaranteed.

As described above, in the gateway device according to the present invention and the wireless control network management system using the same, the wireless communication means transmits the data to the wireless node, and the redirect means connects the data to the wired network. By transferring to the gateway device of, the data transmission path of the mesh network can be made redundant, and as a result, it becomes easier to avoid wireless communication failures (obstacles and noise), and the reliability of the wireless control network management system. Can contribute to the proper operation of the entire wireless communication system.

<figref num="1">It is a block diagram which shows an example of an example of the wireless control network management system using the gateway device which concerns on this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a block diagram which shows an example of the wireless communication function of the GW apparatus 2 of FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure of the functional block example of the arithmetic control unit 23 which constitutes GW apparatus 2 of FIG.</figref><figref num="4">It is a block diagram which shows an example of the wireless communication function of the wireless node 41 of FIG.</figref><figref num="5">It is a figure of the functional block example of the arithmetic control part 41b constituting the wireless node 41 of FIG.</figref><figref num="6">It is explanatory drawing of the operation which redirects the data received by the GW apparatus which concerns on this invention to another GW apparatus.</figref><figref num="7">It is a block diagram which shows an example of the wireless control network management system using the conventional gateway device.</figref><figref num="8">It is explanatory drawing about the data communication between a host 1 and a wireless node 47 in a conventional wireless control network management system.</figref>

Code description

1 Monitor control host A few gateway devices 21 Wireless communication means 22 Communication means (wired) 23 Arithmetic control unit 23a Data transmission / reception means 23b Relay table management method 23c Wireless node information management means 23d Route information management means 23e Acquisition data management method 23f Communication setting means 23g Redirection means 23h Route selection means 24 Memories 41 ~ 48 wireless nodes 41a Arithmetic control unit 41b Wireless communication means 41c Memory means