WIRELESS TRANSMISSION DEVICE, FAI1,URE-INFORMATION I'ORWARDING
METI-IOD, AND FAILURE-INFORMATION NOTIFICATION METI-IOD
5
TECHNICAL FIELD
l000l]
The present invention relates to a technique for notifying of a failure between a
plurality of wireless transmission devices that are connected so as to be capable of
10 communicating.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
There is known a system that uses a wireless transmission channel in part of a
15 transmission channel to transmitlreceive, for example, LAN (local area network) signals,
which are standardized in IEEE802.3. In this type of system, a transmission device that is
connected to a network device via a wired transmission channel transmits a LAN signal
from the network device to an opposite opposing transmission device via a wireless
transmission channel. The opposing transmission device outputs the signal received via
20 the wireless transmission channel to the network device, which is connected to the
opposing transmission device itself via the wired transmission channel.
[0003]
Patent Document 1 discloses a method outlined below. That is to say, when a
transmission device connected to the above system via the wireless transmission channel
25 detects a failure in the transmission channel (the wired transmission channel and the
L
wireless transmission channel connected to the transmission device), the network device
connected to the station itself via the wired transmission chmnel is notified of the failure.
Furthermore, the network device connected lo the opposing transmission deuce via the
wired transn~ission channcl is also notified
5 [0004]
In this method, the transmission device cuts the wired transmission channel line
connected to the transmission device when a failure in the transmission channel is detected
Furthermore, it converts a control signal sequence for notifying a failure into a data
sequence and outputs the signal to the wireless transmission channel to thereby transmit
10 the control signal sequence to the opposing transmission device. Moreover, the
transmission device cuts the wired transmission channel of the station itself also when the
control signal sequence is received from the opposing transmission device.
[OOOS]
According to this method, the transmission device is capable of notifying a
15 network device connected to the station itself of a failure when the transmission device
detects a failure in the transmission channel. Furthermore, it is capable of notifying the
network device connected to the station itself of a failure also when the opposing
transmission device detects a failure in the transmission channel.
[0006]
In recent years, transition to IP (Internet protocol) is progressing in networking.
In systems such as the one mentioned above, the transmission device often houses a
plurality of wired transmission channels and includes a switching finction.
Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which also in a system with each
transmission.device housing a plurality of wired transmission channels therein, a failure is
25 notified to each network device connected to the station itself and to each network device
3
connected to the opposing station (FIG. 8 and paragraphs 100761 and 100771 in Patent
Document 1).
[0007]
In this method, each transmission device includes, for each of the plurality of
5 wired transmission channels of the station itself, a function of detecting a failure in the
wired transmission channel, a fbnction of detecting a failure in the wireless transn~ission
channel, and a function of outputting the control signal sequence mentioned above to the
wireless transmission channel when a failure is detected. Each transmission device cuts
the wired transmission channel when a failure is detected and when the control signal
10 sequence is received from the opposing transmission device.
[OOOS]
According to this method, also in the system with each transmission device
housing a plurality of wired transmission channels therein, the transmission device is
capable of notifying a network device connected to the station itself of a failure when the
15 station itself detects a failure in the transmission channel. Furthermore, it is capable of
notifying the network device connected to the station itself of a failure also when the
opposing transmission device detects a failure in the transmission channel.
[0009]
The method mentioned above is considered not limited to only being applied to a
'20 system that uses a wireless transmission channel in part of the transmission channel. That
is to say, the method mentioned above is considered to be able to be applied also to a
system in which transmission devices connected via a transmission channel (that
corresponds to the above wireless transmission channel) between the transmission devices
(that correspond to the above transmission devices) transmit signals of the plurality of
25 wired transmission channels connected to the respective transmission devices.
[Prior Art Document]
[Patent Docun~ent]
LOO lo]
[Patent Document 11 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication
5 NO. 2006-067239
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
1001 11
10 However, up until now, there has been proposed no mechanism for performing
failure notification between a plurality of wireless transmission channels. For this reason,
in a system in which a first transmission device and a second transmission device are
connected via wireless transmission channels to a transmission dev~ceca pable of housing a
plurality of wireless transmission channels, the second transmission device has been
15 unable to receive a failure notification when the first transmission device detects a failure.
Accordingly, the second transmission device has been unable to perform control according
to the failure detected by the first transmission device.
[0012]
The present invention takes the above circumstances into consideration. An
20 exemplary object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables
notification of a failure between transmission devices connected to each other via w~reless
transmission channels.
Means for Solving the Problem
25 [0013]
5
A wireless transmission device according to one exemplary aspect of the present
invention houses a plurality of wireless transmis:ion channels including a first and a
second wireless transmission channel. The wireless transmission device includes: a
wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit that includes a first wireless porl and a
5 second port, the first wireless port transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from
a first transmission device via the first wireless transmission channel, the second wireless
port transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a second transmission device
via the second wireless transmission channel; and a control unit that notifies the second
transmission device of a failure via the second wireless transmission channel in a case
10 where a failure relating to the first wireless porl arises.
[00 141
A failure information forwarding method according to one exemplary aspect of
the present invention is for a wireless transmission device transmitting and receiving a
wireless signal to and from a first transmission device via a first wireless transmission
15 channel, and transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a second
transmission device via a second wireless transmission channel. The failure information
forwarding method includes: receiving failure information from the first transmission
device via the first wireless transmission channel; and forwarding the failure information
to the second transmission device via the second wireless transmission channel upon
20 receiving the failure information.
[00 151
A failure information notification method according to one exemplary aspect of
the present invention notifies of failure information from a first wireless transmission
device connected to a plurality of wired transmission channels and a plurality of wireless
25 transmission channels, the first wireless transmission device performing wireless
6
communication via the plurality of wired transmission channels. The failure information
notification method includes: detecting a failure in a signal received from each ofthe
plurality of wired transmission channels and the plurality of wireless transmission
channels; and notifying a second wireless transmission device of information via a
5 wireless transmission channel upon detecting a failure in any one of the plurality of wired
transmission channels and the plurality of wircless transmission channels, the information
being related to the failure, the wireless transmission channel being one of the plurality of
wireless transmission channels in which no failure is detected.
10 Effect of the Invention
[0016]
With the present invention, in a system in which a first transmission device and a
second transmission device are connected via wireless transmission channels to a
transmission device capable of housing a plurality of wireless transmission channels, the
15 second transmission device can be notified of a failure detected by the first transmission
device.
BFUEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00 171
FIG. I is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a
transmission system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a function configuration of a
transmission device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a function configuration of a control
25 unit shown in FIG 2.
7
FIG 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission system in a first
. . application example according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission system in a second
application example according to the exemplary embodiment.
5 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission system in a third
application example according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission system in a fourth
application example according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission system in a fifth
10 application example according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overview of a transmission system in a sixth
application example according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a specific example of an operation flow of
the transmission system according to the exemplary embodiment.
15 FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a specific example of an operation flow of
the transmission system according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an effect of the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of a modified example of a
transmission system according to the exemplary embodiment.
EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[00 181
[System Overview]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a
25 transmission system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
8
The transmission system 200 includes a plurality of wirclcss transn~ission devices. In the
example of FIG. 1, the transmission system 200 includes three wireless translnission
devices 21 0 (210A, 210B, 210C). The wireless transmission device 210A is connected to
one or more (three in the example of FIG. I) wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and
5 R3A. The wireless transmission device 210B is connected lo one or more (two in the
example of FIG 1) wired transmission channels RIB and 112B. The wireless transmission
device 210C is connected to one or more (two in the example of FIG. 1) wired transmission
channels RIC and R2C. The wireless transmission device 210A and the wireless
transmission device 210B are opposed to each other and are connected to each other by a
10 wireless transmission channel 280. The wireless transmission device 210A and the
wireless transmission device 210C are opposingly connected to each other by a wireless
transmission channel 290. Each wired transmission channel is connected to a LAN (local
area network) device (network device) not shown in the figure such as a hub, a switching
hub, a router, and a computer terminal.
15 [0019]
Next are described communications made toward the wireless transmission
devices 210B and 210C from the wireless transmission device 210A.
The wireless transmission device 210Aconverts LAN data from a network device
(not shown in the figure) connected via the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and
20 R ~ Ai,n to a wireless signal. The wireless transmission device 210A outputs the wireless
signal to wireless transmission channels 280 and 290, and transmits it to each of the
wireless transmission device 210B and the wireless transmission device 210C. The
wireless transmission device 210B converts the wireless signal lransmitted from the
wireless transmission device 210A via the wireless transmission channel 280 into LAN
25 data. The wireless transmission device 210B outputs the LAN data to a wired transmission
9
channel, which corresponds to a transmission destination, among the wired transmission
channels RIB and R2B. and transmits it to a network device connected to the wired
transmission channel. The wireless transmission device 210C converts the wireless signal
transmitted from the wireless transmission device 210A via the wireless transmission
5 channel 290 into LAN data. The wireless transmission device 210C outputs the LAN data
to a wired transmission channel, which corresponds to a transmission destination, among
the wired transmission channels RIC and R2C, and transmits it to a network device
connected to the wired transmission channel.
If necessary, as described later, the wireless transmission device 21 OA transmits
10 the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless transmission device 2100 (wireless
transmission device 210C) directly to the other wireless transmission device 210C
(wireless transmission device 210B). Moreover, if necessary, as described later, the
,
' wireless transmission device 210A converts the wireless signal transmitted from the
wireless transmission device 210B (wireless transmission device 210C) into LAN data and
15 transmits it to the wired transmission channel RIA (R2A, R3A).
[0020]
Next are described communications made toward the wireless transmission
device 210A from the wireless transmission device 210B.
The wireless transmission device 210B converts LAN data from a network device
20 connected via the wired transmission channel RIB or R2B, into a wireless signal. The
wireless transmission device 210B outputs the wireless signal to the wireless transmission
channel 280 and transmits it to the transmission device 210A. The wireless transmission
device 210A converts the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless transmission device
210B via the wireless transmission channel 280, into LAN data. The wireless transmisston
2 5 device 210Aoutputs the LAN data to a wired transmission channel, which corresponds to a
10
transmission destination, among the wired transmission channels KIA, R2A, and K3A,
and transmits it to a network device connected to the wired transmission channel.
. . Moreover, if necessary, the wireless transmission device 21OA transmits the wireless
signal as it is to the wireless transmission device 210C via the otl~erw ireless transmission
5 channel 290.
[002 11
Next are described communications made toward the wireless transmission
device 210A from the wireless transmission device 210C.
The wireless transmission device 210C converts LAN data from a network device
10 connected via the wired transmission channel RlC or R2C, into a wireless signal. The
wireless transmission device 210C outputs the wireless signal to the wireless transmission
channel 290 and transmits it to the transn~issiond evice 210A. The wireless transmission
device 210Aconverts the wireless signal transmitted from the wireless transmission device
210C via the wireless transmission channel 290, into LAN data. The wireless transmission
15 device 210Aoutputs the LAN data to a wired transmission channel, which corresponds to a
transmission destination, among the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and MA,
and transmits it to a network device connected to the wired transmission channel.
Moreover, the wireless transmission device 210Atransmits the wireless signal as it is to the
wireless transmission device 210B via the other wireless transmission channel 280.
20 [0022]
Next, failure notification is described. The wireless transmission devices 21 0
(21 OA through 210C) detect a failure in the wired transmission channels or wireless
transmission channels connected to thc wireless transmission devices themselves. When a
failure is detected, the wireless transmission devices 210 cut wired transmission channels
25 and perform failure notification to opposing wireless transmission devices.
11
When a failure notification is received from an opposing wileless transmission
device, the wireless transmission devices 210 cut the wired transnlission channcl
connected thereto, and perform failure notification to opposing wireless transmission
devices that have not received the failure.
5 [0023]
[Device Details]
Next, details of the configuration of the wireless transmission devices 210 are
described. The wireless transmission device 210A, the wireless transmission device 21 OB,
and the wireless transmission.device 21 0C respectively have a similar configuration.
10 Accordingly, the wireless transmission devices 210 are described in detail, taking the
wireless transrnission device 210A as an example.
In the following description, alphabetic reference symbols are given to respective
signals and information in order to facilitate comparison between illustrations in the
figures and descriptions in this text. For example, LAN received data is referred to as
15 "LAN reception data DLS".
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a function configuration of the
transmission device 210A. The transmission device 210A includes a LAN signal
termination unit 220, a signal conversion unit 230, a signal reproduction unit 240, an
20 opposing device group information extraction unit 250, an opposing device link cut
information extraction unit 260, a wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270, and
a control unit 300. . .
[0025] . .
. The LAN signal termination unit-220 transmits/receiv& a LAN signal (LAN data .
25 ' signal) via the wired transmission channels ,RIA, R2A, and R3A, andestablishes a link on
12
a data link layer between itself and network devices. The LAN signal termination unit 220
receives LAN data from a network device via a wired transmission channel with an
established link, and transmits LAN reception data DI,S to the signal conversion unit 230.
100261
5 The LAN signal termination unit220 stores wired state information. The wired
state information indicates, for each wired transmission channel, whether the wired
transmission channel is in a slate of being used or in a state of not being used in the device
itself (wireless transmission device 210A). The administrator (user) ofthe transmission
system 200 can arbitrarily set wired state information of each wired transmission channel
10 (wired port) on the wireless transmission device 210A side, to the "used" state or "not
used" state. In the figure, information set by the administrator is referred to as "user
setting". The LAN signal termination unit 220 outputs LAN port information LP, which
indicates either "used" or "not used" wired state information set for each wired
transmission channel, to the control unit 300. In the following description, there is
15 described a case where all of 210Aside wired transmission channels (RIA, R2A, and
R3A) are set to "used".
[0027]
The LAN signal termination unit 220 monitors the failure state ofthe wired
transmission channels. For the wired transmission channel (RlAthrough R3A) in which a
20 failure has occurred, the LAN signal termination unit 220 outputs to the control unit 300
failure information LS that indicates a failure has occurred. A state where "a failure has
occurred in a wired transmission channel" is, for example, a state described below. A first
example of this state is a state where no link has been established with a network device
connected to the wired transmission channel although it is set to "used" state. Asecond
25 example of this stale is a state where the LAN data received via the wired transmission
13
channel is abnormal data although it is set to "uscd" slatc". The state where "a failure has
occurred in a wired transmission channel" may also be another abnormal state.
[0028]
The LAN signal termination unit 220 receives LAN transmission data DLR from
5 the signal reproduction unit 240, The LAN signal termination unit 220 transmits the LAN
transmission data DLRto a network device via a wired transmission channel with an
established link.
The LAN signal termination unit 220 monitors a link cut control signal CTR,
which is described later, output from the control unit 300. While a link cut control signal
10 CTR is being detected, the LAN signal termination unit 220 cuts the wired transmission
channel indicated by the link cut control signal CTR. "Cutting a wired transmission
channel" means the LAN signal termination unit 220 cutting the link with the network
device connected to the wired transmission channel.
[0029]
15 The signal conversion unit 230 multiplexes the LAN reception data DLS received
from the LAN signal termination unit 220, and self device group information SR and link ,
cut information SRC received from the control unit 300, and generates transmission data
DS. The signal conversion unit 230 outputs the generated transmission data DS to the
wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270.
20 [0030]
The signal reproduction unit 240 receives reception data DR from the wireless
signal transmitting and receiving unit 270, and extracts a LAN signal from the reception
data DR. The signal reproduction unit 240 then converts the extracted LAN signal into
LAN transmission data DLR and outputs it to the LAN signal termination unit 220. As
25 described later, the reception data DR is the data that is received by another wireless
14
transmission device 210 (2108 or 210C), and that is received by the wil-elcss signal
transmitting and receiving unit 270.
1003 11
The opposing device group information cxtraction unit 250 receives the reception
5 data DR from the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270, and extracts from the
reception data DR, group information TR of the wireless transmission device (210B or
210C) of the transmission source. The opposing device group information extraction unit
250 outputs the extracted group information TR to the control unit 300. The group
information TR of the wireless transmission device 210B (21OC) is self device group
10 information SR for the transmission device 210B (210C). Group information TR is
referred to as "opposing device group information TR" in order to distinguish the self
device group information SR of the wireless transmission device 210Afrom the group
information TR.
[0032]
The opposing device link cut information extraction unit 260 receives the
reception data DR from the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270, and
extracts from the reception data DR, link cut information TRC of the wireless transmission
device (210B or 210C) of the transmission source. The opposing device link cut
information extraction unit 260 outputs the extracted link cut information TRC to the
20 control unit 300. In order to distinguish link cut information SRC of the self device
(wireless transmission device 210A) from link cut information of thewireless transmission
device 210B (210C), link cut information (link cut information extracted from the
reception data DR) TRC on the transmission device 210B side is referred to as "opposing
device link cut infornlation TRC!'. .. . . . .. .
25 [0033].
15
The wircless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 includes a wircless port
for each wireless transmission channel. In the present exemplary embodiment, the
wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 includes wireless ports PI and P2
respectively for the wireless transmission channel 280 and the wireless transmission
5 channel 290. The.wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 converts
transmission data DS transmitted from the signal conversion unit 230into a wireless signal..
The wireless ports PI and P2 of the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270
output the wireless signal respectively to the wireless t~ansmissiond evice 210B and the
wireless transmission device 210C via the wireless transmission channel 280 and the
10 wireless transmission channel 290. Moreover, the wireless ports P1 and P2 ofthe wireless
signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 receive the wireless signal from the wireless
transmission device 210B and the wireless transmission device 210C via the wireless
transmission channel 280 and the wireless transmission channel 290. The wireless signal
receiving unit 270 outputs the received wireless signal as reception data DR to the signal
15 .reproduction unit 240, the opposing device group information extraction unit 250, and the
opposing device link cut information extraction unit 260.
[0034]
The wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 stores wireless state
information. The wireless state information indicates, for each wireless transmission
20 channel, whether the wireless transmission channel is in a state of being used or in a state
of not being used in the device itself (wireless transmission device 210A). The
administrator of the transmission system 200 can arbitrarily set wireless state information
of each wireless transmission channel (wireless port), to the "used" state or "not used" state.
The wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 outputs wireless port information
25 MP, which indicates either "used" or "not used" wireless state information set for each
16
wireless transmission channel, to the control onit 300. In the following description, there
is described a case where all ofthe wireless transmission channels (280 and 290) are set to
"used".
1003 51
5 The wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 monitors the failure state
of the wireless transmission channels. When a failure occurs, the wireless signal
transmitting and rcceiving unit 270 generates wireless section failure information MS and
outputs it to the control unit 300. Examples of the state where "a failure has occurred in the
wireless transmission channel 280 (290)" include a state where the wireless transmission
10 channel 280 (290) is cut, and a state where the wireless signal received from the wireless
transmission channel 280 (290) is abnormal.
[0036]
The control unit 300 receives LAN port information LP and failure information
LS from the LAN signal termination unit 220. The control unit 300 receives from the
15 wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 the wireless port information MP and
the wireless section failure information MS. The control unit 300 receives from the
opposing device group information extraction unit 250 the opposing device group
information TR. The control unit 300 receives from the opposing device link cut
information extraction unit 260 the opposing device link cut information TRC. The
20 control unit 300 outputs to the signal conversion unit 230 the self device group information
SR and the link cut information SRC. The control unit 300 outputs to the LAN signal
termination unit 220 a link cut control signal CTR.
1003 71
Next, the configuration of the control unit 300 is described in more detail. FIG 3
25 is a schematic block diagram showing a function configuration of the control unit 300.
17
The control unit 300 includes a self device group information retention unit 31 0, an
inter-device group information retention unit 320, a link cut information transmitting unit
330, a link control unit 340, and a wireless port priority retention unit 350.
1003 81
5 The self device group information retention unit 3 10 receives input of LAN port
information LP and prioritized wireless port information AMP. The self device group
information retention unit 3 10 generates self device group information SR based on the
LAN port information LP and the prioritized wireless port information AMP. The self
device group information retention unit 3 10 retains the generated self device group
10 information SR.
[0039]
The self device group information SR indicates corresponding relationships
between the wired transmission channels (RIA, MA, and R3A) and the wireless
transmission channels (280 and 290) En the "used" state that are connected to the self
15 device (wireless transmission device 210A), and the link groups to which the wired
transmission channels and the wireless transmission channels belong. A single link group
is configured in combination with a wired transmission channel or a wireless transmission
channel in the "used" state that is connected to the self device (wireless transmission
device 210A). Basically, a single wired transmission channel (wired port) belongs to a
20 single link group. A single wireless transmission channel (wireless port) may belong to a
plurality of link groups. This self device group information SR can be arbitrarily set by the
administrator. The self device group information retention unit 3 10 generates self device
group information SR based on the LAN port information LP, the prioritized wireless port
information AMP, and the setting performed by the administrator, and retains it. The self
25 device group information retention unit 3 10 outputs the retained self device group
18
infornlation SR to the inter-device group information retention unit 320 and the signal
conversion unit 230.
[0040]
The inter-device group information retention unit 320 receives an input of the
5 opposing device group information TR from the opposing device group information
extraction unlt 250. The inter-device group information retention unit 320 receives an
input of the self device group information SR from the self device group information
retention unit 3 10. The inter-device group information retention unit 320 generates
inter-device group information SB based on the opposing device group information TR
10 and the self device group information SR. The inter-device group information retention
unit 320 retains the generated inter-device group Information SB. The inter-device group
information retention unit 320 outputs the inter-device group information SB to the link
cut information transmitting unit 330 and the link control unit 340.
[004 11
15 The inter-device group information SB indicates a corresponding relationship
between the link group indicated by the self device group information SR and each link
group indicated by the opposing device group information 'I'R. The inter-device group
information retention unit 320 generates the inter-device group information SB according
to the setting of the administrator.
20 [0042]
The link cut information transmitting unit 330 generates link cut information SRC
based on the failure information of the wired transmission channel in the "used" state on
the self device (wireless transmission device 210A) side, and the failure information of the
opposing device received from the opposing device. The link cut information transmitting
25 unit 330 outputs the generated link cut information SRC to the signal conversion unit 230.
19
The link cut information SIiC is then transmitted by the signal conversion unit 230 and the
wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 to the wireless transmission device
210B (210C) via the wireless transmission channel 280 (290). The link cut information
transmitting unit 330 may generate and output link cut infonnation SRC, for example, at
5 predetermined intervals (for example, every 10 seconds). The link'cut information
transmitting unit 330 may generate and output link cut information SRC, for example,
when the content of failure information changes. The timing at which the link cut
information transmitting unit 330 generates and outputs link cut information SRC is not
limited to the above timings and may be another timing.
10 [0043]
The link cut information transmitting unit 330 generates link cut information SRC
based on the failure information LS received from the LAN signal termination unit 220,
the wireless section failure information MS, and the opposing device link cut information
TRC, and on a failure notification policy set by the administrator. The failure notification
15 policy may, for example, be a policy described below. A first example ofthe failure
notification policy is a policy (first policy) such that as long as a failure occurs in at least
one wired transmission channel among the wired transmission channels that belong to the
same link group, failure information LS is generated for the link group. Asecond example
of the failure notification policy is a policy (second policy) such that if a failure occurs in
20 all of the wired transmission channels that belong to the same, link group, failure
information LS is generated for the link group. A third example of the failure notification
policy is a policy (third policy) such that failure information of the opposing station
received via one wireless transmission channel that belongs to thesame link group is
forwarded tothe opposing station that is connected via the other wireless transn~ission
25 chmnel.. The failure notification policy may be set in another manner. ,.
20
[0044]
In the present exemplary embodiment, the following two examples of the failure
notification policy are described. That is to say, the first example is a policy (second
policy) such that if a failure occurs in all of the wired transmission channels that belong to
5 the same link group, failure information LS is generated for the link group. The second
example is a policy (third policy) such that failure information of the opposing station
received via one wireless transmission channel that belongs to the same link group is
forwarded to the opposing station that is connected via the other wireless transmission
channel.
10 [0045]
The link cut information transmitting unit 330 receives an input of wireless
section failure information MS from the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270.
The link cut information transmitting unit 330 receives an input of the inter-device group
information SB from the inter-device group information retention unit 320. If an input of
15 the wireless section failure information MS is received, the link cut information
transmitting unit 330 generates link cut information SRC based on the wireless section
failure information MS and the inter-device group information SB. The link cut
information transmitting unit 330 outputs the generated link cut information SRC to the
signal conversion unit 230. On the other hand, if an input of wireless section failure
20 information MS is not received, the link cut information transmitting unit 330 does not
generate nor output link cut information SRC.
LO0461
In the present exemplary embodiment, the administrator can set whether or not to
output link cut information SRC. Hereunder, there is described a case where it is set that
25 an output of link cut information SRC is "condueted".
When a failure occurs in any one of the wired transmission channels RIA, R2.4,
and R3A, the link control unit 340 cuts the wired transmissionchannel. Moreover, when a
failure occurs in either one of the wireless transmission channels 280 and 290, the link
5 control unit 340 cuts thewired transmission channel. Furthermore, when opposing device
link cut information TRC is received from either one ofthe wireless transmission devices
210B and 210C, the link control unit 340 cuts the wired transmission channel.
If several wireless transmission channels belong to a single link group, the link
control unit 340 cuts the wired transmission channel according to a wireless port priority
10 policy.
[004 8 J
The wireless port priority retention unit 350 receives an input of wireless port
information MP from the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270. The wireless
port priority retention unit 350 generates and stores the prioritized wireless port
15 information AMP based on the wireless port priority policy set by the administrator and the
wireless port information MP. The wireless port priority retention unit 350 outputs the
stored prioritized wireless port information AMP to the self device group information
retention unit 3 10.
[0049]
20 The wireless port priority policy expresses a wireless port priority as either "high"
or "low" as an example. The wireless port priority policy is, for example, a policy
described below. Afirst example of the wireless port priority policy is a policy such that
the failure notification is-forwarded to the wireless port with a "low" priority if a failure has
occurred on the wireless port with a "high" priority that belongs to thesame link group: A
.. , 25. . second example of the wireless port priority policy is a policy such that the failure
nottlicat~oni s not forwarded to the wtteless port with a "low" priority if a failure has
occurred on the wireless port with a "high" priority that belongs to the same link group. A
third example of the wireless port priority policy is a policy such that if a failure has
occurred in all of the wireless ports with a "high" priority that belong to the same link
5 group, all of the wired transmission channels included in the link group are cut. A fourth
example of thc wireless port priority policy is apolicy such that ifa failure has occurrcd in
all of the wireless polls with a "low" priority that belong to the same link group, all of the
wired transmission channels included in the link group are cut.
The wireless port priority policy may be a combination of these, and it may be set
10 in another way.
[0050]
In the transmission system 200 configured in this manner, in a state where a
plurality of wireless transmission channels belong to the same link group, when a failure
occurs in one wireless transmission channel or a failure occurs in the wired transmission
15 channel of the opposing device connected via a wireless transmission channel, failure
information is notified to an opposing device via another wireless transmission channel.
As a result, it is possible in the opposing device of the other wireless transmission channel
to receive failure information and perform control based on the failure information.
[005 11
20 The following is a more detailed description of this. The opposing device link cut
information extraction unit 260 outputs the opposing station link cut information TRC
extracted from the reception data DR not only to the link control unit 340 but also to the
link cut information transmitting unit 330. Moreover, the wireless signal transmitting and
. .
receiving unit 270 transmits the wireless section failure information MS of the wireless
25 transmission channels (280 and 290) not only to the link control unit 340 but also to the
23
link cut information transmitting unit 330. In this manner, the link cut information
transmitting unit 330 receives inputs of the opposing device link cut information TRC and
the wireless section failure information MS. As a result, the failure information of the
opposing station received via one wireless transmission channel that belongs to the same
5 link group can be forwarded to the opposing station that is connected via anotherwireless
transmission channel. Moreover, the failure information of one wireless transmission
channel that belongsto a given link group can also be forwarded to the opposing station
that is connected via another wireless transmission channel.
[0052]
Furthermore, in a state where a plurality of wireless transmission channels belong
to the same link group, a priority can he arbitrarily set to an individual wireless
transmission channel. As a result, when a failure occurs in any one of the wireless
transmission channels that belong to the same 4i link group, the presence or absence of
failure information notification is different according to the priority set to the wireless
15 transmission channel (for example, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 described later). Therefore, also in
the same link group, failure information notification can he made in asymmetric directions.
That is to say, in a state where a plurality of wireless transmission channels belong
to the same link group, it is possible to make a failure information notification via a
wireless transmission channel to a wireless transmission device with no failure occurring
20 therein, without influencing another wired transmission channel or a wireless transmission
channel transmitting non-correlated signals. The "non-correlated signals" above refer to
signals that need to be transmitted via one wireless transmission channel among several
wireless transmission channels belonging to the same link group, but that do not need to be
transmitted via another wireless transmission channel. For example, thecombination of
. . 25 ports used forcommunications in the wireless transmission device 210A differs for a
24
signal relayed from the wired transnlission channel RIA via the wireless transmission
device 210Ato the wireless transmission chana1el280, a signal telayed from the wired
transmission channel R3A via the wireless transmission device 210A to the wireless
transmission channel 290, and a signal relayed from the wireless transmission channel 280
5 via the wireless transmission device 210.4 to the wireless transmission channel 290.
' Accordingly, each signal of the above three examples corresponds to a "non-correlated
signal" to each other.
lo0531
[Application Examples]
Next are described examples of operations in those cases where various types of
setting are applied to the transmission system 200. In a first application example through a
fourth application example, there are described examples of cases where a plurality of
wired transmission channels and wireless transmission channels are set within a single link
group. On the other hand, in a fifth application example and a sixth application example,
15 there are described examples of cases where wired transmission channels and a plurality of
wireless transmission channels do not coexist and only a plurality of wireless transmission
channels are set within a single link group.
[0054]

20 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of the transmission system 200 in a first
application example. In FIG. 4 (and FIG. 5 through FIG. 9, and FIG. 13), the wired
transmission channels and wireless transmission channels surrounded by the samc
dashed-line circle belong to the same link group. The large symbol "x" illustrated with
solid lines illustrates that a detection of a failure in the transmission channel is made. The
25 small symbol "x" illustrated with dashed-lines illustrates that it has been cut according to
25
opposing device link cut information TIIC.
[0055]
In the first application example, all of the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A,
and R3Aon the wireless transmission device 21 0As.ide and all of the wireless transmission
5 channels 280 and 290 belong to a link group GlA. All of the wired transmission channels
RIB and R2B on the wireless transmission device 210B side and the wireless transmission
channel 280 belong to a link group GIB. All of the wired transmission channels RIC and
R2C on the wireless transmission device 210C side and the wireless transmission channel
290 belong to a link group GIC. The link group GI A and the link group GIB are
10 associated with each other, and the link group GIA and the link group GIC are associated
with each other.
[0056]
As shown in FIG 4, a failure is detected in the wired transmission channel R1A
that belongs to the link group GlA. However, there is no failure occurring in the other
15 wired transmission channels (R2A and R3A) that belong to the link group G1 A, and a link
is established in the other wired transmission channels. Therefore, a failure is not
occurring in all of the wired transmission channels that belong to the same link group, and
the second policy above is not satisfied. Accordingly, the wireless transmission device
210Adoes not generate link cut information SRC for the wired transmission channel in the
20 self device.
There is no failure occurring in neither of the wired transmission channels RIB
and R2B of the wireless transmission device 21 OR. Also, there is no failure occurring in
neither of the wired transmission channels RIC and R2C of the wireless transmission
device 21 0C. Accordingly, the wireless transmission device 210A does not detect
25 opposing device link cut information TRC from the wireless transmission device 210B and
26
the wireless transmission device 21 0C.
There is no failure occurring in neither of the wireless transmission channels 280
and 290 that are connected to the wireless transmission device 210A. Accordingly, the
wireless transmission device 210A docs not generate link cut information SRC for thc
5 wired transmission channel in the self device either.
As described above, the wirclcss transmission device 210A does not generate link
cot information SRC for the wired transmission channels connected to the self device and
the wireless transmission channels, and it does not receive opposing device link cut
information TRC from the wireless transmission device 21 0B and the wireless
10 transmission device 2IOC either. Accordingly, the wireless transmission device 210Adoes
not transmit link cut information SRC to neither one of the wireless transmission device
210B and the wireless transmission device 210C.
[0057]
As a result, even if there is a failure in the wired transmission channel RIA that
15 belongs to the link group GIA, communications can still be made between the wired
transmission channels R2A and R3A that belong to the same link group GIA, the wired
transmission channels RIB and R2B that belong to the link group GIB, and the wired
transmission channels RlC and R2C that belong to the link group GIC.
[OOSS]

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the transmission system 200 in a
second application example. The link group setting in the second application example is
the same as that of the first application example. The second application example differs
from the first application example in that a failure is detected in all of the wired
25 transmission channels (RIA, R2A, and R3A) that belong to the link group GIA. In this
27
case, the second policy above is satisfied. As aresult, the wireless transmission device
210Agencrates link cut information SRC for the wired transmission channels of the link
group GI Aof the self device. The wireless transmission device 21OA transmits the
generated link cutinformation SRC to the wireless transmission device 210B and the
5 wireless transmission device 210C.
[0059]
The wireless translnission device 210B cuts all of the wired transmission channels
(RIB and R2B) that belong to the link group GIB that corresponds to the link group GIA.
Similarly, the wireless transmission device 2IOC cuts all of the wired transmission
10 channels (R1C and R2C) that belong to the link group GlC that corresponds to the link
group GIA.
[0060]

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the transmission system 200 in a third
15 application example. In FIG. 6 (and FIG. 7 through FIG. 9, and FIG. 13), the circular and
triangular symbols respectively illustrate priorities set by the wireless port priority
retention unit 350. The circular symbol indicates that the priority is high. The triangular
symbol indicates that the priority is low.
[006 11
When opposing station link cut information TRC or wireless section failure
information MS is detected at the wireless port where the priority is low (triangular
symbol), the wireless transmission device 210A does not transmit link cut information
SRC from the wireless port where the priority is high (circular symbol). The third
application example is an example showing this type of operation.
25 [0062]
28
'The link group setting in the third application example is the same as that of the
first application example. The priority of cach wireless port in the th~rda pplicat~on
example is as follows. The wireless port that is connected to the wireless transmission
channel 280 among the wireless ports included in the link group GIA has its priority set
5 high, and the wireless port that is connected to the wireless transmission channel 290 has
its priority set low. Since only one wireless port is included in the link groups GIB and
G1C respectively, the priorities thereof are set high respectively.
lo0631
In the third application example, as shown in FIG. 6, a failure is detected in all of
10 the wired transmission channels (RlC and R2C) that belong to the link group G1C in the
wireless transmission device 210C.
The wireless transmission device 210A does not transmit link cut information
SRC to the wireless port where the priority is high even if link cut information SRC is
detected at the wireless port where the priority is low. Accordingly, link cut information
15 SRC is not forwarded to the wireless transmission device 210B. Therefore,
communications can be made between the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and
R3A that belong to the link group GIAon the wireless transmission device 2IOA side, and
the wired transmission channels RIB and R2B that belong to the link group GlB on the
wireless transmission device 210B side.
20 [0064]

FIG 7 is a diagram showing an overview of the transmission system 200 in a
fourth application example. When opposing station link cul information TRC or wireless
section failure information MS is detected at the wireless port where the priority is high,
25 the wireless transmission device 210A generates link cul information SRC. The wireless
29
transmission device 210A transmits the generatcd link cut information SRC from the
w~relessp ort where the priority is low. The fourth application example is an example
showing this type of operation.
[0065]
5 The link group setting in the fourth application example is the same as that of the
first application example. The priority of each wireless pod in the fourth application
example is the same as that of the third application cxample. In the third application
example, a fa~lureis detected in the wired transmission channels (RIC and K2C) that
belong to the link group GIC. On the other hand, in the fourth application example, a
10 failure is detected in the wired transmission channels (RIB and R2B) that belong to the
link group GIB.
[0066]
In the fourth application example, as shown in FIG 7, a failure is detected in all of
the wired transmission channels (RIB and R2B) that belong tothe link group G1B in the
15 wireless transmission device 210B.
The wireless transmission device 210A transmits link cut information SRC to the
wireless port where the priority is low, since link cut information SRC is detected at the
wireless port where the priority is high.
[0067]
A process of transmitting link cut information SRC is described in detail, with
reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. First, the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270
of the wireless transmission device 21OA receives data including link cut information SRC
from the wireless~transmissionc hannel 280. The opposing device link cut information
extraction unit 260 extracts the link cut information SRC from the received data (reception
25 data DR). The opposing device link cut information extraction unit 260 outputs the
3 0
extracted link cut inlbrnmation SRC as opposing device link cut information I'RC. 'The
output opposing device lrnk cut inforl~lationT RC is input to the link cut information
transmitting unit 330 of the control unit 300. The link cut information transmitting unit
330 determines to output the link cut information SRC from the wireless port where the
5 priority is low, since the input opposing device link cut information TRC is the opposing
device link cut information TRC that is receivcd from the wireless port where the priority
is high. Then, the link cut information transmitting unit 330 outputs the link cut
information SRC. The signal conversion unit 230 converts the link cut information SRC
output from the link cut information transmitting unit 330 of the control unit 300, and
10 generates transmission data DS. The wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270
transmits the transmission data DS generated by the signal conversion unit 230 to the
wireless transmission channel 290 from the wireless port where the priority is low.
[0068]
By the operation described above, link cut information SRC is transmitted to the
15 wireless transmission device 21 0C.
Eventually, in the fourth application example, communications cannot be made
between the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and R3Athat belong to the link group
GlA on the wireless transmission device 210A side, and the wired transmission channels
R1C and R2C that belong to the link group GlC on the wireless transmission device 210C
20 side. That is to say, the wireless transmission device 210A cuts all of the wired
transmission channels RIA, R2A, and R3A that belong to the same link group GIA as the
wireless port connected to the wireless transmission channel 280 (wirclcss port where link
cut information SRC is detected and the priority is high).
100691
A process of cutting the wired transmission channels RIA through R3A is
3 1
described in detail, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG 3. The process up to where opposing
device link.cut information TRC is input to the control unit 300 is as described above. The
opposing device link'cut information TRC is input to the link control unit 340 of the
control unit 300. The link control unit 340 outputs a link cut control signal C'TR since the
5 input opposing device link cut information TRC is the opposing device link cut
information TRC that is received from the wireless port where the priority is high. The
LAN signal termination unit 320 cuts the wired transmission channels RIA through R3A
based on the link cut control signal CTR output from the link control unit 340 of the control
unit 300.
10 The wireless transmission device 210C that has received the link cut information
SRC transmitted froni the wireless transmission device 210A cuts all of the wired
transmission channels R1C and R2C that belong to the same link group GIC as the
wireless transmission channel 290 that has received the link cut information SRC.
[0070]

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overview of the transmission system 200 in a fifth
application example. When opposing station link cut information TRC or wireless section
failure information MS is detected at the wireless port where the priority is low, the
wireless transmission device 210A does not transmit link cut information SRC from the
20 wireless port where the priority is high. The fifth application example is an example
showing this type of operation.
[0071]
The link group setting in the fifth application example is as follows. None of the
wired transmission channels RIA, =A, and R3A on the wireless transmission device
25 210A side belongs to the same link group as either of the wireless transmission channels
32
(280 and 290). All of the wireless transmission channels 280 and 290 on the wireless
transmission device 210Aside belong to the link group GI A. A11 of the wired
transmission channels RIB and 1UB on the wireless transmission dcvice 21 0B side and the
wireless transmission channel 280 belong to a link group GIB. Moreover, all of the wired
5 transmission channels R1C and R2C on the wireless transmission device 210C side and the
wireless transmission channel 290 belong to a link group GIC. The link group (i 1 A and
the link group GIB arc associated with each other. The link group GIA and the link group
GIC are associated with each other. The priority of each wireless port in the fifth
application example is the same as that of the third application example.
10 [0072]
In the fifth application example, as shown in FIG. 8, a failure is detected in the
wireless transmission channel 290 that connects the wireless transmission device 210A
and the wireless transmission device 210C.
The wireless transmission device 210A does not transmit link cut information
15 SRC to the wireless port where the priority is high even if link cut information SRC is
detected at the wireless port where the priority 1s low. Accordingly, link cut information
SRC is not forwarded to the wireless transmission device 210B. Therefore,
communications can be made between the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and
R3A that belong to the link group GlAon the wireless transmission device 210A side, and
20 the wired transmission channels RIB and R2B that belong to the link group GIB on the
wireless transmission device 210B side.
[0073]
In the wireless transmission device 210C, link cut information SRC is detected at
the wireless port. As a result, the wireless transmission device 210C cuts the wired
25 transmission channels R1C and R2C that belong to the same link group GIC as this
wireless port.
[0074]

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overview of the transmission system 200 in a sixth
. 5. application exampre. When opposing station link cut information TRC or wireless section
failure'information MS is detected at the wirelessport where the priority is high, the
wireless transmissiondevice 210Agenerates link cut information SRC. The wireless
transmission device 210A transmits the generated link cut information SRC from the
wireless port where the priority is low. The sixth application example is an example
10 showing this type of operation.
[0075]
The link group setting in the sixth application example is the same as that of the
fifth application example. The priority of each wireless port in the sixth application
example is the same as that of the third application example. In the fifth application
15 example, a failure is detected in the wireless transmission channel 290 that is connected to
the wireless port where the priority is low. On the other hand, in the sixth application
example, a failure is detected in the wireless transmission channel 280 that is connected to
the wireless port where the priority is high.
LO0761
20 The wireless transmission device 210A transmits link cut information SRC to the
wireless port where the priority is low, since link cut information SRC is detected at the
wireless port where the priority is high: The details of the transmission process are the
. . same as those of the fourth application example, and therefore, descriptions thereof are
. . omitted. Accordingll: link cut information SRC is transmitted to the wireless transmission
25 device 210C. Therefore, communications~cannotb e made between the wired transmission . .
34
channels RIA, R2A, and R3Aon the wireless transmission device 210Aside, and the
wired transmission channels RIC and R2C that belong to the link group GlC on thc
wireless transmission device 210C s~de.T hat is to say, the wireless transmission device
210C that has received the link cut infolmation SRC transmitted from the wireless
5 transmission device 210A cuts all of the wired transmission channels R1C and R2C that
belong to the same link group GIC as the wireless transmission channel 290 that has
received the link cut information SRC.
[0077]
[Sequence]
10 FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a specific example of a process flow of the
operation of the transmission system 200 in a case where a failure is detected in a wired
transmission channel in the wireless transmission device 210A. That is to say, FIG. 10
illustrates the flow of the operation corresponding to the first application example and the
second application example described above.
15 First, the wireless transmission device 210A determines whether or not a failure
has been detected in all of the wired transmission channels that are set in a link group for
each link group set in the self device (step S101). In a case where a failure is detected in
some wired transmission channels but it is not detected in all of the wired transmission
channels (step SlOl -NO), the wireless transmission device 210A does not generate nor
20 transmit link cut information. The above process corresponds to the first application
example.
[0078]
One the other hand, in the case where a failure is detected in all of the wired
. . . transmission channels (step S101 - YES), the wireless transmission device 210Agenerates
' 2 5 . link cut information (step S102). The wireless transmission device 210A then trans~~its
3 5
the link cut information to the respective wireless transmission devices (210R and 210C)
corresponding to the link group in which a failure is occurring in all of the wired
transmission channels (steps S103 and S104). Having received the link cut information,
the wireless transmission devicc 21 OB cuts the link of all of the wircd transmission
5 channels included in the corresponding link group (step S105). The wireless transmission
device 210C also cuts the links similarly (step S106). The above process corresponds to . .
the second application example.
[0079]
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a specific example of a process flow of the
10 operation of the transmission system 200 in a case where a failure is detected on the,
wireless transmission channel side in the wireless transmission device 210A. That is to say,
FIG. I1 illustrates the flow of the operation corresponding to the third application example
through the sixth application example described above.
First. the wireless transmission device 210A detects a failure on the wireless
15 transmission channel side (step S200). This failure may be a failure that occurs in a
wireless transmission channel or a failure that occurs in an opposing device. Specifically,
in the case of a failure occurring in a wireless transmission channel, the control unit 300
detects a failure based on wireless section failure information MS detected and generated
by the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270. In the case of a failure occurring
20 in an opposing device, the control unit 300 detects a failure based on opposing device link
cut information TRCextracted by the opposing device link cut information extraction unit
260.
[0080]
. . The, wireless transmission device 210A determines whether or not the priority of
25 . the wireless port where the failure has been detected is high (step:S201). If the failure is
36
detected at the wireless port where the priority is low (step S201 -NO), the \uirelcss
transmission device 210A does not transmit link cut information (stcp S206). Thc process
In this case corresponds to the third application example and the fifth appl~catione xample.
[008 I]
5 On the other hand, if the failure is detected at the wireless port where the priority
is high (step S201 - YES), the wireless transmission device 210Ageneratcs link cut
information (step S202). The wireless transmission device 210A then transmits the link
cut information from the wireless port where the priority is low among the wireless ports
belonging to the same link group as the wireless port where the failure has been detected
10 (step S203). In the respective application examples above, the link cut information is
transmitted to the wireless transmission device 21 0C. Moreover, the wireless transmission
device 210Acuts all of the wired transmission channels that belong to the same link group
as the wireless port where the failure has been detected (step S204).
[0082]
Having received the link cut information, the wireless transmission device 210C
cuts the links of all of the wired transmission channels included in the corresponding link
group (step S205). The above process corresponds to the fourth application example and
the sixth application example. In the sixth application example, the wireless transmission
device 210A does not cut the wired transmission channel, since no wired transmission
20 channel belongs to the same link group as the wireless port where the failure has been
detected.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing an effect of the present exemplary
embodiment Inthe transmission system 200, failure notification is possible in a network
25 that is configured only with wireless transmission channels shown in FIG. 12. Each of the
3 7
devices A tlirough F shown ih FIG. 12is a wireless trarlstnission device 210 described
above. As an example, here is describedla case where in thelink group ofthc device B, the
priority of a wireless transmission channel W 1 is set to high, and the priorities of wireless
transmission channels W2 and W3 are set to low. When a failure occurs in the wireless
5 transmission channel 1, the device B notifies the devices C and D ofthc failure via the
wireless transmission channels 2 and 3. On the other hand, when a fa~lureo ccurs in both of
the wireless transluission channels W2 and W3, the device B notifies the device Aof the
failure. However, even if a failure occurs only in either one of the wireless transmission
channels (W2 and W3) where the priority is low, the device B does not notify of the failure.
10 Which failure information to be detected and whether to notify of it can be
arbitrarily set by the manner of combining the network. Therefore, a failure notification
can be made in arbitrary directions regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.
Since the priority is set for wireless transmission channels, the wireless
transmission channel W1 can be distinguished from the wireless transmission channels
15 W2 and W3, and asymmetric link cut control can be performed.
[OOS4]

The wireless transmission devlces 210 may be configured so as to forward a
failure notification rather than cutting the wired transmission channel that belongs to the
20 same link group as the wireless transmission channel where a failure notification has been
made. Here is described an operation of the transmission system 200 applied with the
wireless transmission devices 210 configured in this manner.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of a rnodificd example of the
transmission system 200. In a case where opposing station link cut information TRC or
25 wireless section failure information MS has been detected at a wireless port where the
3 8
priorityis high, in the fourth application example (FIG. 7) thc wireless transmission device,
210 cuts all of the wired transmission channcls that belong to the same link group as the
wireless port. On the other hand, when a failure notification (opposing station link cut
information TRC or wireless section failure information MS) is detected at a wireless port
5 where the priority is high, the wireless transmission device 210 in the modified example of
the transtnission systenl 200 forwards the failure notification to all of the wired
transmission channels that belong to the same link group as the wireless port. At this time,
the wireless transmission device 21 0 does not cut the wired transmission channel.
[OOSS]
10 The link group setting and the priority of each wireless port in FIG. 13 are the
same as those in the fourth application example (FIG. 7). In FIG. 13, as with the fourth
application example, a failure is detected in the wired transmission channels (RIB and
R2B) that belong to the link group GlB.
The wireless transmission device 210A transmits link cut information SRC to the
15 wireless port where the priority is low, since link cut information SRC is detected at the
wireless port where the priority is high. Accordingly, link cut information SRC is
transmitted to the wireless transn~ission device 210C. Moreover, the wireless transmission
device 210Atransmits the link cut information SRC detected at the wireless port where the
priority is high to the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and R3A. As a result, the
20 other transmission devices connected via the wired transmission channels RIA, R2A, and
R3A can receive a notification of the link cut information SRC, and can obtain information
of the failure having been detected in the wired transmission channel that belongs to the
link group GlB.
[0086]
25 In the modified example configured in this manner, there is an effect such that the
3 9
notification is maintained viathe wired transmission channel that belongs to the same link
group as the wireless transmission channel, for which the failure notification has been
made. That is to say, in a case where multiple traffics are being transmitted via a wired
transmission channel (for example, where several users are using the same wired
5 transmission channel on VLAN), if this wired transmission channelis cut, ports for other
unrelated users are cut. This type of problem can be solved in the above modified
example.
[0087]
The signal conversion unit 230 does notalways need to multiplex the link cut
10 information SRC with the LAN reception data DLS to transmit. For example, having
provided a dedicated bandwidth for transmitting and receiving link cut inforn~ationS RC
between wireless transmission devices 210, the wireless signal transmitting and receiving
unit 270 may use this bandwidth lo transmit/receive link cut information SRC. Moreover,
for example, having provided a dedicated path for transmitting and receiving link cut
15 information SRC between wireless transmission devices 210, the wireless signal
transmitting and receiving unit 270 may use this path to transmit/receive link cut
- information SRC. In these cases, the signal conversion unit 230 may perform output to the
wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 270 without multiplexing the link cut
information SRC with the LAN reception data DLS. The manner of transmitting and
20 receiving link cut information SRC between the wireless transmission devices 210 is not
limited to the examples above, and may involve another manner.
[OOSS]
The exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail
with reference to the figures. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this . .
25 exemplary embodiment, and includes designs without departingthe.scope of the invention.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese
patent application No. 201 1-247377, filed November 11,201 1, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
5
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILlTY
[0090]
The present invention may be applied to a wireless transrnissio~dl evice, a failure
information forwarding method, and a failure information notification method. According
10 to the wireless transmission device, the failure information forwarding method, and the
failure information notification method applied with the present invention, failure
notification can be performed between transmission devices that are connected to each
other via wireless transmission channels.
15 Reference Symbols
[009 11
200 Transmission system
210A, 210B, 210C Wireless transmission device
280,290 Wireless transmission channel
20 RIA, R2A, MA, RIB, R2B, RlC, R2C Wired transmission channel
220 LAN signal termination unit
230 Signal conversion unit
240 Signal reproduction unit
250 Opposing device group information extraction unit
25 260 Opposing device link cul information extraction unit
4 1
270 Wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit
300 Control unit
3 10 Self' device group information retention unit
320 Inter-device group infoimation retention unit
5 330 Link cut information transmitting unit (failure notificat~onu nit)
340 Link control unit
350 Wireless port priority retention unit
1. A wireless transmission device that houses a pluralit'y of wireless transmission
channels including a first and a second wireless transmission channel, the wireless
5 transmission device comprising:
a,wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit that includcs a first wireless port
. , and a second port, the first wireless porttransmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and
from a first transmission device via the first wireless transmission channel, the sec~nd
wireless port transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a second
10 transmission device via the second wireless transmission channel; and
a control unit that notifies the second transmission device of a failure via the
second wireless transmission channel in a case where a failure relating to the first wireless
port arises.
15 2. The wireless transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the case where a
failure relating to the first wireless port arises is either one of a case where a failure has
arisen in the first wireless transmission channel and a case where a failure has been notified
from the first transmission device.
20 3. The wireless transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit
includes:.
a wireless port priority retention unit that stores priorities set for the first wireless
port and the second wireless port; and
. . a failure notification unit that notifies the second transmission device of a failure
25 via the second wireless transmission channel in a case where the priority of the first
43
wireless port where a failure has arisen is higher than the priority of the second wireless
port, the failure notification unit does not notifying the second transmiss~ond evice of a
failure in a case where the priority of the first wireless port where a failure has arisen is
lower than the priority of the second wireless port.
5
4. The wireless transmission device according to claim I , wherein the control unit
includes:
a self device group information retention unit that stores information of
transmission channels including the first and second wireless transmission channels
10 belonging to a group among a wired transmission channel connected to the wireless
transmission device or the wireless transmission channel; and
a failure notification unit that notifies the second transmission device of a failure
via the second wireless transmission channel belonging to the same group as that of the
first wireless transmission channel in a case where a failure relating to the first wireless
15 port arises.
5. A failure information forwarding method for a wireless transmission device
transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from a first transmission device via a
first wireless transmission channel, the wireless transmission device transmitting and
20 receiving a wireless signal to and from a second transmission device via a second wireless
transmission channel, the failure information forwarding method comprising:
receiving failure information from the first transmission device via the first
wireless transmission channel; and
forwarding the failure information to the sccond transmission device via the
25 second wireless transmission channel upon receiving the failure information.
6. A failure information notification method for notifying of fa~lurem formation
from a first wireless transmission device connected to a plurality of wired transmission
channels and a plurality of wireless transmission channels, the first wireless transmission
5 device performing wireless communication via the plurality of wired transmission
channels, the failure information notification method comprising:
detecting a failure in a signal received from each of the plurality of wired
transmission channels and the plurality of wireless transmission channels; and
notifying a second wireless transmission device of information via a wireless
10 transmission channel upon detecting a failure in any one of the plurality of wired
transmission channels and the plurality of wireless transn~issionc hannels, the information
being related to the failure, the wireless transmission channel being one of the plurality of
wireless transmission channels in which no failure is detected.