Wireless lan access point

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a wireless LAN access point having a function of automatically setting a channel to be used by oneself from a free channel by recognizing a channel in use of wireless communication.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, with the development of wireless communication technology, wireless network environments are becoming familiar. Among them, wireless LANs such as IEEE802.11b are becoming widespread as a technology to replace the conventional wired LAN.

【0003】

The IEEE802.11b system uses the 2.4 GHz band called the ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band for wireless communication, and direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) is used as the modulation method for transmitted and received signals. I am using it.

【0004】

Such IEEE802.11b wireless communication function<u style="single">To</u>In order to maintain connection compatibility between the provided wireless LAN terminal and the device connected to the wired LAN terminal, a wireless base station device called an access point having a wireless LAN interface and a wired LAN interface is often used.

【0005】

This access point functions as a bridge between a wireless LAN terminal and a wired LAN terminal, and can send and receive data to and from each other. In addition to that, when communicating with other wireless LAN terminals, it is possible to perform wireless communication via an access point called infrastructure mode.

【0006】

When communicating between such wireless communication devices, the 2.4 GHz band (2.4000 to 2.4835 GHz) is further divided into 14 channels (channels used are limited depending on the country), and this is used. As for the communication channel, it is necessary to set the same channel between devices that perform wireless communication. The access point is wireless such as group identification information (hereinafter, ID) between the access point and the station, wireless communication channel (hereinafter, channel), etc. It has an interface for setting LAN, and it is necessary to set the ID and channel used for communication in advance.

【0007】

The setting of this access point differs depending on the device, but it is generally performed from terminal software that uses a network interface, a dedicated tool, a Web browser, or the like.

【0008】

If the station communicates through the access point, set the station to infrastructure mode. The station receives a signal (hereinafter referred to as a beacon) periodically transmitted by the access point while changing the wireless LAN channel, and transmits a connection request including ID information to the access point of the channel receiving the beacon.

【0009】

The access point that received the connection request determines that the connection is possible if the ID included in the connection request is the same as the ID set in the access point, and returns a connection response to communicate between the access point and the station. Is established.

【0010】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

With the conventional wireless LAN access point as described above, it is necessary to manually set in advance from a browser or setting tool. Normally, a wireless LAN access point is used as a bridge function to connect to a wired LAN network in an office or home, so the installation location is fixed, and once installed, it includes a wireless LAN channel. There is no need to change the access point settings frequently.

【0011】

However, when carrying a wireless LAN access point, for example, a docking station (hereinafter referred to as a docker) used in combination with a wireless LAN notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a wireless LAN notebook PC) has a built-in wireless LAN access point function. In some cases, both the access point and the station may be moved and used.

【0012】

In this case, the wireless communication between the docker, which is an access point, and the wireless LAM notebook PC, which is a station, depends on the usage status of the wireless device at the destination. That is, when a channel competes with another wireless device at the destination, communication performance using that channel deteriorates.

【0013】

For example, when connecting to the wired LAN of the destination office using Docker's network interface, it is necessary to set the channel used by the docker's access point function, but which channel is the best channel on the spot. It is difficult to recognize. Usually, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to ask the network administrator for the channel used by the wireless access point in the office or manually change the setting to a channel that seems not to be used.

【0014】

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the wireless LAN access point recognizes the wireless channel in use at the destination and automatically sets an empty channel not used for communication as a communication channel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless LAN point capable of avoiding collision of communication channels with other wireless devices and improving communication performance between an access point and a station.

【0015】

[Means for solving problems]

Therefore, in order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to perform wireless communication in a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication using one of the predetermined frequency bands divided into a plurality of channels. Communication of wireless communication that performs modulation / demodulation of data for the purpose, a detection means that detects a usable channel among the plurality of channels, and a channel detected by the detection means via the wireless communication means. With the setting means to set as a channel<u style="single">, A wired communication means that performs wired communication with a wired network, and a connection means that connects a wireless network that performs wireless communication using the channel and the wired network.</u>It is a wireless communication device, characterized in that it is provided with.

【0016】

Further, the second aspect of the present invention is a detection means for detecting a beacon from another wireless LAN access point in the first wireless LAN channel, and the first when the beacon is not detected by the detection means. A first communication channel setting means for setting the wireless LAN channel of the above as a communication channel, and a determination means for determining whether or not the first wireless LAN channel is the final channel when a beacon is detected by the detection means. When a beacon from another wireless LAN access point is detected by the detection means and the first wireless LAN channel is determined to be the final channel by the determination means, a preset second wireless LAN is used. The second communication channel setting means for setting the channel as the communication channel and the detection means detect beacons from other wireless LAN access points, and the determination means does not indicate that the first wireless LAN channel is the final channel. If it is determined, the channel changing means for changing the next wireless LAN channel as the first wireless LAN channel<u style="single">, A wired communication means that performs wired communication with a wired LAN network, and a connection means that connects the wireless LAN network that performs wireless communication using the communication channel and the wired LAN network.</u>It is a wireless LAN access point, which is characterized by being equipped with.

【0017】

According to such a wireless LAN access point, a free channel that is not automatically used for communication can be automatically set as a communication channel, so that the communication performance between the access point and the station is improved. be able to.

【0018】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the wireless LAN access point according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

【0019】

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wireless LAN access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【0020】

As shown in the figure, the wireless LAN access point 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a flash ROM 13, a switch 14, a network controller 15, a wireless LAN controller 16, and an antenna 17.

【0021】

The CPU 11 reads the control program loaded on the RAM 12 and controls the network controller 15 and the wireless LAN controller.

【0022】

The RAM 12 is used to store a program that controls the operation of the access point 11 or as a temporary storage area for communication packets sent and received between the network controller 15 and the wireless LAN controller 16.

【0023】

The flash ROM 13 stores the system settings of the control program and access point loaded on the RAM 12.

【0024】

Switch 14 is used to instruct the user to start scanning for free radio channels.

【0025】

The network controller 15 controls the transmission and reception of communication packets sent and received between the wired network and the device. For example, the network controller 15 is an Ethernet controller.

【0026】

The wireless LAN controller 16 controls packetization, modulation / demodulation, encryption, and the like of data transmitted and received between the wireless communication device and the present device.

【0027】

The antenna 17 is used for receiving data from the wireless LAN network and transmitting data to the wireless LAN network.

【0028】

Next, the operation of the wireless LAN access point according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

【0029】

When the wireless LAN access point is started, the CPU 11 loads the control program from the flash ROM 13 onto the RAM 12 and starts executing the program.

【0030】

Next, the initialization process of the network controller 15 and the wireless LAN controller 16 is executed. Next, the system setting values stored in the flash ROM 13 in advance are read out to initialize the device. Following this initialization, if the switch 14 is pressed, the wireless channel is automatically set.

【0031】

First, in step S1, the access point<u style="single">10</u>Start wireless communication in the same station mode as the wireless LAN terminal. Step S1 is a step of setting to operate as a wireless LAN terminal (station) instead of a wireless access point in order to detect another wireless access point or wireless communication terminal.

【0032】

Next, in step S2, the radio channel used for communication in station mode is set to the initial channel value. Here, for example, taking the IEEE802.11b method as an example, in Japan, the 2.4 GHz band is divided into 14 channels and used, and the occupied band of each channel is 22 MHz, which is ± 11 MHz from the center frequency of each channel. , Here, set the 1st channel out of 14 channels and set "1" to the wireless LAN channel counter.

【0033】

Next, in step S3, the operation starts as a wireless station and waits for the reception of the beacon transmitted from the wireless access points existing in the vicinity.

【0034】

In step S4, it is determined whether the access point 11 is receiving the beacon on the radio channel currently set as the station mode. If the beacon is received (YES in step S4), it is determined that the wireless channel currently set in the access point 11 is in use by another access point or wireless communication device within the radio wave reception range, and step S5. Proceed to.

【0035】

In step S5, the current channel determines if any of the available radio channels have not yet been configured. If there is a channel that has not been set yet (NO in step S5), proceed to step S6. In step S6, the wireless channel is set to the next channel number (the next channel in terms of frequency), the wireless LAN channel counter is incremented by 1, the return to S4, and the beacon acquisition determination in the newly set wireless channel is performed.

【0036】

On the other hand, if there is no beacon reception on the current channel in step S4 (NO in step S4), it is determined that there is no device in the vicinity that is performing wireless communication using the currently set wireless channel, and the step is taken. Proceed to S7.

【0037】

In step S7, the found free channel is confirmed as the access point setting channel. Next, in step S9, the reception of the beacon of the wireless access point is terminated in the station mode.

【0038】

Then, in step S10, the device is changed to the access point mode that operates as an access point, and then in step S11, the channel set in step S7 is used to start the operation of the wireless access point.

【0039】

In step S5, if the current channel is the last channel of the radio channel in use (YES in step S5), proceed to step S8. In step S8, the setting channel saved in the flash ROM 13 is confirmed as the setting channel of the access point.

【0040】

Next, in step S9, the reception of the beacon of the wireless access point is terminated in the station mode. Next, in step S10, after changing the mode to operate the device as an access point, in step S11, the operation of the wireless LAN access point is started using the channel set in step S7.

【0041】

Although the case where the automatic setting process of the wireless channel is performed after the initialization is described here, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when another wireless device enters the channel currently in use, the communication channel can be moved to a free channel and communication can be optimized by performing the automatic setting process of the wireless channel again.

【0042】

&lt;Other Embodiments&gt; Next, the wireless LAN access point according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The wireless LAN access point of this embodiment is built in a docking station that is detachably connected to a notebook personal computer.

【0043】

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a notebook personal computer, which is a wireless LAN terminal, and a docking station (docker) are connected. Further, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the notebook personal computer and the docking station (docker) are separated.

【0044】

In FIGS. 3 and 4, 21 is a notebook personal computer which is a wireless LAN terminal. Reference numeral 22 denotes a docking station (docker) in which the wireless LAN access point according to the present embodiment is incorporated.

【0045】

The docking station 22 is a CD-ROM drive 23, an Ethernet connector 24 for connecting to a wired network, such as Ethernet, and a switch 25 for the user to retry searching for free channels.

【0046】

The docking station 22 is connected to the network hub 26 via an Ethernet cable 27 connected to the Ethernet connector 24. In addition to the docking station, the network hub 26 is connected to an office network, a home LAN, and the like.

【0047】

As shown in FIG. 4, when the notebook personal computer 21 and the docking station 22 are separated, wireless communication is performed between the notebook personal computer 21 and the docking station 22.

【0048】

At this time, when the wireless LAN access point determines the communication channel used for communication with the notebook personal computer 21, the operation described in FIG. 2 is executed to determine the communication channel.

【0049】

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the notebook personal computer 21 and the docking station 22. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

【0050】

The docking station 22 is connected to the CD-ROM drive 32 via the IDE (Intelligent Drive Electronis) controller 31 to the CPU 11 in addition to the access point configuration shown in FIG. The IDE (Intelligent Drive Electronis) controller 31 controls the data transfer of the CD-ROM drive 32. The data on the CD-ROM stored in the CD-ROM drive 32 can be accessed from the notebook personal computer 21.

【0051】

Specifically, when the notebook personal computer 21 and the docking station 22 are attached, the notebook personal computer 21 and the docking station 22 are separated by communication via the interfaces 41 and 33. In the case of, the CD-ROM drive 32 is accessed from the notebook personal computer 21 by wireless communication using the wireless LAN controllers 44 and 45. Here, the wireless communication between the notebook personal computer 21 and the docking station 22 uses the wireless channel determined by the docking station 22 by executing the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

【0052】

Further, the CD-ROM drive 32 can be accessed not only from the notebook personal computer 21 but also from information devices such as other notebook personal computers that communicate on the same communication channel. In this regard, the CD-ROM drive 32 of the docking station 22 is used as a shared resource within the wireless network.

【0053】

Further, an interface 33 for connecting to the notebook personal computer 21 is provided, and communication with the notebook personal computer 21 is performed via the interface 33.

【0054】

The notebook personal computer 21 has an interface 41, a CPU 42, a RAM 43, a wireless LAN controller 44, an antenna 45, a hard disk controller (HDC) 46, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 47.

【0055】

The interface 41 is detachably connected to the interface 33 of the docking station 22, and communicates with the docking station 22 via the interface 41.

【0056】

The CPU 42 controls the entire notebook personal computer, and controls wireless communication with the docking station 22. The RAM 43 is used as a work area of a notebook personal computer 21 or the like.

【0057】

The wireless LAN controller 44 controls wireless communication with the docking station 22 performed via the antenna 45. The hard disk controller 46 is for controlling the writing and reading of the hard disk drive 47.

【0058】

According to this embodiment, for example, the docking station 22 allows the notebook personal computer 21 to connect to the wired LAN network via the docking station 22 using the communication channel determined.

【0059】

In the above-described embodiment, a CD-ROM drive has been mentioned as an example of the storage device provided in the docking station, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a DVD-RAM, an HDD, or the like.

【0060】

Therefore, according to the wireless LAN access point of the present embodiment, a free channel that is not used for communication can be automatically set, so that a collision of the communication channel with another wireless device can be avoided. As a result, the communication performance between the access point and the station can be improved.

【0061】

Also. By incorporating the wireless LAN access point according to the embodiment of the present invention into the docking station, it is possible to optimally set the communication channel in the wireless LAN access point that is frequently moved.

【0062】

The invention of the present application is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the gist thereof.

【0063】

[Effect of the invention]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the wireless LAN access point recognizes the wireless channel in use at the destination and automatically sets an empty channel not used for communication as a communication channel. It is possible to provide a wireless LAN point that can avoid collision of communication channels with other wireless devices and improve communication performance between an access point and a station.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wireless LAN access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a wireless LAN access point.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a notebook personal computer, which is a wireless LAN terminal, and a docking station (docker) are connected.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a notebook personal computer and a docking station (docker) are separated.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a notebook personal computer and a docking station.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... wifi access point, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... RAM, 13 ... flash ROM, 14 ... switch, 15 ... network controller, 16 ... wifi controller, 17 ... Antenna, 21 ... Notebook Personal Computer, 22 ... Docking Station, 31 ... IDE, 32 ... CD-ROM, 33 ... Interface, 41 ... Interface, 42 .. .CPU, 43 ... RAM, 44 ... wifi controller, 45 ... antenna, 46 ... hard disk controller, 47 ... hard disk drive.