DESCRIPTION
WIRELESS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, WIRELESS TRANSMISSION
APPARATUS, WIRELESS TRANSMISSION METHOD, AND COMPUTER
5 READABLE MEDIUM
Technical Field
[OOOl]
The present invention relates to a wireless transmission system, a wireless
transmission apparatus, a wireless transmission method, and a wireless
10 transmission program. In particular, the present invention relates to a wireless
transmission system, a wireless transmission apparatus, a wireless transmission
method, and a wireless transmission program, with which prescribed
communication quality can be secured in wireless communication using a link
aggregation technique.
15
Background Art
[0002]
Nowadays, a wireless transmission system in which signals are transmitted
among a plurality of transmission apparatuses using wireless communication is
20 widely used. The wireless transmission system does not require provision of
fixed cables among the transmission apparatuses, and signals are transmitted using
radio waves.
[0003]
1 In recent years, in order to improve the transmission rate in a wireless
I 25 transmission system, wireless signals are modulated by a multi-value modulation
I ~ scheme such as 256 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) and at high
I
modulation speeds. However, because of the characteristic of the wireless
transmission system, i.e., carrying out communication by causing wireless signals
to propagate through the air, the wireless transmission system is susceptible to
30 various factors in wireless transmission links, and therefore the communication
quality tends to deteriorate. Accordingly, even when the aforementioned
modulation scheme or the like is used, enormous overhead is required to carry out
an error correcting process using error correcting codes and the like.
Consequently, as compared to the wired transmission system via fixed cables, the
! wireless transmission system has a restriction in that it is difficult to widen the
1 communication band.
[0004]
As a measure to address the problem in widening the communication band,
5 in the field of packet communication such as Ethernet (registered trademark), the
link aggregation technique in which a plurality of physical links are bundled and
can be used as one virtual link is defined as IEEE 802.3ad. Here, the physical
link refers to the infrastructure of the physical layer that carries out transmission
of electric signals in response to a service request from the data link layer. In
10 other words, the physical link refers to a physical transmission path. According
to the link aggregation, for example, a bundle of five physical links each being 100
Mbps can be used as a virtual link of 500 Mbps.
Citation List
15 Patent Literature
[OOOS]
Patent Literature 1 : Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication
NO. 2009-232400
20 Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006]
It is considered that, when such a link aggregation technique can be applied
also to the wireless transmission system, the communication band can be
25 increased.
[0007]
With the link aggregation, when signals are transmitted using a virtual link,
a transmission apparatus must specifically select the physical link to which frames
are input. However, IEEE 802.3ad does not define the rule as to the physical link
30 selection in connection with the link aggregation. In general, the transmission
apparatus determines the physical link to be the recipient of transferred
transmission frames in accordance with a prescribed calculation algorithm, based
on parameters such as the header field (the MAC address, the VLAN tag, the IP
address and the like) of transmission frames, an identifier being unique to the
physical link (such as the physical port ID), a preset priority and the like. In such
I a selection algorithm of the physical link, the state of the physical link is not taken
into consideration.
[OOOS]
5 As described above, with the wireless transmission system, the
communication quality of the wireless transmission links tends to deteriorate.
Accordingly, when the link aggregation is applied to the wireless transmission
system as it is, the transmission apparatus may possibly transmit frames to the
wireless transmission link whose signal quality is deteriorating, despite their being
high priority traffic. At this time, when the recipient transmission apparatus
cannot demodulate the signals transmitted via the wireless transmission link of low
reception signal level, the transmitted frames are lost. Accordingly, there is a
problem that the conventional link aggregation technique cannot guarantee the
quality of high priority traffic.
[0009]
On the other hand, even when the reception signal level of the wireless
transmission link is low, for example, applying the adaptive modulation radio
scheme (AMR: Adaptive Modulation Radio) with which a few-value modulation
scheme such as 16 QAM or QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) can be
automatically selected in accordance with a reception signal level, demodulation
can be carried out with a suppressed frame loss. However, since the transmission
rate of such a few-value modulation scheme is relatively low, there is a problem
that the band being sufficient for transmission of high priority traffic cannot be
obtained.
[OO 1 01
Accordingly, the wireless transmission system to which the link
aggregation technique is applied requires a frame distribution algorithm that is
suitable for the quality of each wireless transmission link, i.e., the band.
[OOll]
The present invention is made to solve such problems, and an object thereof
is to provide a wireless transmission system, a wireless transmission apparatus, a
wireless transmission method, and a computer readable medium, with which
prescribed communication quality can be secured in wireless communication using
the link aggregation technique.
Solution to Problem
[OO 1 21
A wireless transmission system according to the present invention is
5 directed to a wireless transmission system including a first apparatus and a second
apparatus that carry out wireless data communication via a wireless transmission
path using a plurality of physical links in parallel. The first apparatus and the
second apparatus each include: an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data; a
plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling different
10 ones of the physical links, the plurality of wireless signal processing means
respectively measuring reception signal levels of the physical links, and the
plurality of wireless signal processing means notifying a counterpart one of the
first and second apparatuses about the reception signal levels; link aggregation
control means for determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the
15 signal level for each of the physical links notified by the wireless signal
processing means of the counterpart apparatus; and packet transfer processing
means for selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
20 [0013]
Other wireless transmission system of the present invention is directed to a
wireless transmission system including a first apparatus and a second apparatus
that carry out wireless data communication via a wireless transmission path using a
plurality of physical links in parallel. The first apparatus and the second
25 apparatus each include: an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data; a
plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling different
ones of the physical links; and packet transfer processing means for selecting, out
of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link
having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
30 The wireless signal processing means of the second apparatus respectively measure
reception signal levels of the physical links, the wireless signal processing means
of the second apparatus notifying the first apparatus about the reception signal
levels. The first apparatus further includes link aggregation control means for
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal level for
each of the physical links notified by the second apparatus, the link aggregation
control means notifying the packet transfer processing means of the first apparatus
and the second apparatus about the priority.
[OO 141
Other wireless transmission system of the present invention is directed to a
wireless transmission system includes a first apparatus and a second apparatus that
carry out wireless data communication via a wireless transmission path using a
plurality of physical links in parallel. The first apparatus and the second
apparatus each include: an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data; a
plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling different
ones of the physical links; and packet transfer processing means for selecting, out
of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link
having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and given a high priority as a data
recipient. The wireless signal processing means of the first apparatus
respectively measure reception signal levels of the physical links, and the first
apparatus further includes link aggregation control means for determining a
priority for each of the physical links based on the reception signal levels, the link
aggregation control means notifying the packet transfer processing means of the
first apparatus and the second apparatus about the priority.
[OO 1 51
A wireless transmission apparatus of the present invention is directed to a
wireless transmission apparatus including: an inputloutput port that inputs and
outputs data; a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of
a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in
parallel, the plurality of wireless signal processing means respectively measuring
reception signal levels of the physical links, and the plurality of wireless signal
processing means notifying a counterpart apparatus about the reception signal
levels; link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
the wireless signal processing means of the counterpart apparatus; and packet
transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links structuring the
wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed
capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
[00 161
7
A wireless transmission method of the present invention is directed to a
wireless transmission method including: controlling each of a plurality of physical
links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in parallel; measuring a
reception signal level for each of the physical links; notifying a communication
5 counterpart about the reception signal level; determining a priority for each of the
I
I physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
I
I the communication counterpart; and selecting, out of the physical links structuring
the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band of a
I
I prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
I
I 10 [0017]
I
I A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a wireless transmission
I
program of the present invention is directed to a non-transitory computer readable
medium that stores a wireless transmission program for causing a computer to
perform operations of: controlling each of a plurality of physical links structuring
15 a wireless transmission path being used in parallel; measuring a reception signal
level for each of the physical links; notifying a communication counterpart about
the reception signal level; determining a priority for each of the physical links
based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by the
communication counterpart; and selecting, out of the physical links structuring the
20 wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed
capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[OO 181
25 The present invention can provide a wireless transmission system, a
wireless transmission apparatus, a wireless transmission method, and a computer
readable medium, with which prescribed communication quality can be secured in
wireless communication using the link aggregation technique.
30 Brief Description of Drawings
[00 1 91
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a structure according to a first embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing operations according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing operations according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
Fig. 4 is diagram showing operations according to a second embodiment of
5 the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
In the following, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given
of specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied.
[002 11

Firstly, with reference to Fig. 1, a description will be given of a structure
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
A wireless transmission system 100 according to the present embodiment
includes a wireless transmission apparatus 101 and a wireless transmission
apparatus 102 capable of establishing communication between each other via a
wireless transmission path. The wireless transmission apparatus 101 and the
wireless transmission apparatus 102 are similarly structured. Here, in order to
simplify the description, the structure of the wireless transmission apparatus 101
will be described.
[0023]
The wireless transmission apparatus 10 1 has inputloutput ports 11 1 to 11 3,
packet transfer processing means 120, link aggregation control means 130, and
wireless signal processing means 141 to 143. In Fig. 1, while three pieces of the
inputloutput ports 11 1 to 113 and three pieces of the wireless signal processing
means 14 1 to 143 are shown, the wireless transmission apparatus 101 is not limited
to such a structure. The wireless transmission apparatus 101 is only required to
include one or more inputloutput port and a plurality of wireless signal processing
means.
[0024]
The inputloutput ports 11 1 to 11 3 are each a communication port for the
wireless transmission apparatus 101 to input and output data signals to and from an
external apparatus via a wireless transmission path.
[0025]
The wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 each have a wireless
communication antenna, and each form an independent physical link, that is, a
5 wireless transmission link, with the wireless transmission apparatus 102. Here,
the specification of the physical layers of the plurality of wireless transmission
links may be different from one another. The wireless signal processing means
141 to 143 are capable of respectively controlling the transmission paths with
different physical layers, to perform packet transfer in the data link layer in a
10 unified manner.
[0026]
The plurality of wireless transmission links are handled as a virtually
bundled transmission path, that is, a link aggregation group (LAG: Link
Aggregation Group) 160, by link aggregation control means 130 and packet
15 transfer control means 120, whose description will be given later.
[0027]
The wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 transmit, via the wireless
transmission links, packets input from the packet transfer processing means 120,
whose description will be given later, to the wireless transmission apparatus 102.
20 Specifically, the wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 respectively control
wireless transmission-reception antennas to transmit wireless signals obtained by
modulating transmission data by a prescribed scheme. Further, the wireless
signal processing means 141 to 143 demodulate the wireless signals received at the
wireless transmission-reception antennas to obtain reception data.
25 [0028]
Further, the wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 measure the levels
of signals received at the wireless reception antennas, and transfer the
measurement result to the link aggregation control means 130, whose description
will be given later.
30 [0029]
The packet transfer processing means 120 selects a transfer route according
to address information of the packets input from the inputloutput ports 11 1 to 113
or the wireless signal processing means 141 to 143. That is, the packet transfer
processing means 120 carries out the process of transferring packets to the output
route. Specifically, the packet transfer processing means 120 transfers the
packets being input from the inputloutput ports 11 1 to 113 to a specific wireless
transmission link structuring the LAG 160, based on priorities notified by the link
aggregation control means 130, whose description will be given later. That is, the
packet transfer processing means 120 transfers the packets to any of the wireless
signal processing means 141 to 143.
[0030]
The link aggregation control means 130 manages the wireless transmission
links structuring the LAG 160 and controls the priorities. That is, the link
aggregation control means 130 determines priorities based on the reception signal
levels notified by the wireless signal processing means 141 to 143, and notifies the
packet transfer processing means 120 about the priorities.
[003 11
Next, with reference to Fig. 2, a description will be given of operations
according to the present embodiment.
[0032]
Wireless transmission apparatuses 201 and 202 are both structured
identically to the wireless transmission apparatus 101 and the wireless
transmission apparatus 102 described above. However, for the sake of
convenience in describing, Fig. 2 shows an example in which the wireless
transmission apparatus 201 operates mostly as the transmitter and the wireless
transmission apparatus 202 operates mostly as the receiver.
[0033]
The wireless signal processing means 21 1 and 214, 212 and 2 15, and 213
and 21 6 respectively form wireless transmission links 221 to 223 being
independent of one another. The wireless transmission apparatuses 201 and 202
are capable of carrying out bidirectional data communication via the LAG
structured by the wireless transmission links 221 to 223. Specifically, in the
present embodiment, packets 231 to 233 are transmitted in the direction from the
wireless transmission apparatus 201 to the wireless transmission apparatus 202 via
the LAG structured by the wireless transmission links 221 to 223.
[0034]
In Fig. 2, the notation H, M, and L respectively allotted to the packets 23 1
to 233 show priorities of the packets. That is, the packets 231 to 233 are
respectively the high priority packet, the middle priority packet, and the low
I priority packet. Note that, the notation does not limit the present invention to the
case where the priority levels given to the packets are three.
[003 51
5 In the present embodiment, the wireless transmission apparatuses 201 and
202 operate as follows.
[0036]
Firstly, the wireless signal processing means 2 14 to 2 16 of the wireless
transmission apparatus 202 measure the reception signal level of the wireless
10 communication antennas. Here, it is understood that, as to the reception signal
level measured at each of the wireless signal processing means 2 14 to 2 16, the
reception signal level is high at the wireless signal processing means 2 14, middle
at the wireless signal processing means 215, and low at the wireless signal
I processing means 2 16.
I
I
I
I
15 [0037]
I Next, the wireless signal processing means 214 to 216 feed back the
I
measurement result to the wireless transmission apparatus 201 via the wireless
transmission links 221 to 223.
[003 81
20 The link aggregation control means 240 of the wireless transmission
apparatus 201 acquires the measurement result of the reception signal levels at the
wireless transmission apparatus 202 respectively received by the wireless signal
processing means 21 1 to 213. The link aggregation control means 240 determines,
in accordance with the reception signal levels at the wireless signal processing
25 means 214 to 2 16 included in the measurement result, the priorities in the LAG of
the wireless transmission links corresponding to the wireless signal control means.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the priority of the wireless transmission
link 221 is determined to be 1; the priority of the wireless transmission link 222 is
determined to be 2; and the priority of the wireless transmission link 223 is
30 determined to be 3. Here, the smaller the numerical value, the higher the priority.
The wireless transmission link of a higher reception level is given a higher priority
because the wireless transmission link of a higher reception signal level is more
likely to perform accurate demodulation on the counterpart side, and consequently
the packet loss rate can be reduced.
I Subsequently, the packet transfer processing means 250 of the wireless
transmission apparatus 201 performs analysis of the address information of the
packets 23 1, 232 and 233 received at the input port. Thereafter, the packet
5 transfer processing means 250 successively transfer the packets according to the
order based on the priorities of the packets to the wireless transmission links
determined according to the priorities determined by the link aggregation control
means 240.
[0040]
I 10 For example, as shown in Fig. 3, it is understood that the band of each of
the wireless transmission links 221 (priority l), 222 (priority 2), and 223 (priority
3) is 50 Mbps, and the input rate of the high priority packets, the middle priority
packets, and the low priority packets is 40 Mbps, 50 Mbps, and 80 Mbps,
respectively. In this case, firstly, the high priority packets are transferred using
15 the band 40 Mbps of the wireless transmission link 221 of priority 1.
Subsequently, the middle priority packets are transferred using the band 10 Mbps
being the remainder of the band of the wireless transmission link 221 and the band
40 Mbps of the wireless transmission link 222 of priority 2. Finally, the low
priority packets are transferred using 10 Mbps being the remainder of the band of
20 the wireless transmission link 222 and the band 50 Mbps of the wireless
transmission link 223 of priority 3. Here, when the band of the wireless
transmission link is insufficient for the input rate of the packets, the packets
beyond the transfer capacity are abandoned.
[004 11
25 In this manner, by successively allocating packets according to the order
based on the priorities of the packets to the wireless transmission links determined
according to the order based on the priorities of the wireless transmission links,
the packets of the higher priority can be transferred using the wireless
transmission link of the better reception state.
30 [0042]
In the present embodiment, by carrying out transmission selecting the
physical link of excellent quality for the high priority traffic, the packet loss rate
of the high priority traffic can be reduced.
[0043]
Further, in the present embodiment, priority control can be exerted without
adding complicated processes, because transfer is carried out in turn from the high
priority traffic in accordance with the order of priorities of the wireless
transmission links structuring the LAG.
5 [0044]
I I i Next, a description will be given of the structure according to a second
embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, AMR is used
I
I for controlling the wireless transmission links. AMR stands for Adaptive
10 Modulation Radio scheme, that is, the scheme for controlling wireless transmission
links with which a modulation scheme can be automatically selected.
[0045]
The constituent elements in the present embodiment are similar to those in
the first embodiment. That is, the wireless transmission apparatus 101 and the
15 wireless transmission apparatus 102 shown in Fig. 1 are included. As shown in
Fig. 2, these apparatuses carry out wireless communication via the wireless
transmission links 221 to 223.
[0046]
On the other hand, the present embodiment is characterized by the
20 operations of the link aggregation control means 130 and the wireless signal
processing means 141 to 143.
[0047]
With reference to Fig. 1, a description will be given of operations of the
link aggregation control means 130 and the wireless signal processing means 141
25 to143.
[0048]
Firstly, when the wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 receive a
notification about the reception signal level from the counterpart apparatus, the
wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 select a proper modulation scheme
30 corresponding to the reception signal level. Specifically, when the reception
signal level is high, a modulation scheme of high transmission rate such as a
multi-value modulation scheme (e.g., 256 QAM) is selected; when the reception
signal level is low, a modulation scheme such as a few-value modulation scheme
(e.g., QPSK) whose transmission rate is low but which possesses high error
correction ability is selected. From this time point onward, the wireless signal
processing means 141 to 143 carry out wireless communication with the
counterpart apparatus using the modulation scheme selected here.
[0049]
5 Subsequently, the wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 notify the
link aggregation control means 240 about at least the modulation scheme selected
here.
[0050]
The link aggregation control means 130 determines a priority for each of
10 .the wireless transmission links 221 to 223 in accordance with the modulation
scheme selected by the wireless signal processing means 14 1 to 143. That is, a
high priority is given to the wireless transmission link for which a modulation
scheme of high transmission rate has been selected, and a low priority is given to
the wireless transmission link for which a modulation scheme of low transmission
15 rate has been selected.
1 [005 11
i With reference to Fig. 2, a description will be given of specific exemplary
operations according to the present embodiment.
[0052]
20 The wireless transmission apparatus 201 receives feedback of the reception
signal level from the counterpart wireless transmission apparatus 202. Here, it is
understood that the reception signal level being fed back is high at the wireless
signal processing means 214, middle at the wireless signal processing means 21 5,
and low at the wireless signal processing means 21 6.
25 [0053]
The not-shown wireless signal processing means of the wireless
transmission apparatus 201 selects a proper modulation scheme based on the
received signal level. In the present embodiment, in order of the wireless
transmission links 221 to 223, a modulation scheme of the lower transmission rate
30 is selected. The wireless transmission link wireless signal processing means
transfers the modulation scheme selected here to the link aggregation control
means 240.
[0054]
The link aggregation control means 240 determines priorities of the
wireless transmission links 221 to 223 in the LAG based on the transmittable band
determined for each modulation scheme. In the present embodiment, the wireless
transmission link 221 is given priority 1, the wireless transmission link 222 is
given priority 2, and the wireless transmission link 223 is given priority 3.
[0055]
From this time point onward, the traffic distribution to the wireless
transmission links 221 to 223 is performed according to the procedure similar to
that in the first embodiment. That is, the packet transfer processing means 250
successively transfers packets according to the order based on the priorities of the
packets to the wireless transmission links determined according to the order based
on the priorities determined by the link aggregation control means 240.
[0056]
For example, as shown in Fig. 4, it is understood that the band of the
wireless transmission links 221 (priority 1), 222 (priority 2), and 223 (priority 3)
is 70 Mbps, 50 Mbps, and 30 Mbps, respectively, and the input rate of the high
priority packets, the middle priority packets, and the low priority packets is 40
Mbps, 50 Mbps, and 80 Mbps, respectively. In this case, firstly, the high priority
packets are transferred using the band 40 Mbps of the wireless transmission link
221 of priority 1. Subsequently, the middle priority packets are transferred using
the band 30 Mbps being the remainder of the band of the wireless transmission link
221 and the band 20 Mbps of the wireless transmission link 222 of priority 2.
Finally, the low priority packets are transferred using 30 Mbps being the remainder
of the band of the wireless transmission link 222 and the band 30 Mbps of the
wireless transmission link 223 of priority 3. Note that, when the band of the
wireless transmission link is insufficient for the input rate of the packets, the
packets beyond the transfer capacity are abandoned.
[0057]
In the present embodiment, by carrying out transmission using a
modulation scheme of high transmission rate for the high priority traffic, packets
of high priority traffic can be surely transferred at high speeds.
[0058]
In the foregoing, while the present invention has been described with
reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereby.
Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be
made to the structure and details of the present invention within the scope of the
I invention.
[0059]
For example, in the embodiments described above, the wireless
5 transmission apparatus 10 1 and the wireless transmission apparatus 102 each have
the function of determining the priorities of the wireless transmission links at the
link aggregation control means 130. However, they may be structured such that:
only one of the wireless transmission apparatuses, for example, the wireless
transmission apparatus 101, has such a function, and the link aggregation control
10 means 130 of the wireless transmission apparatus 10 1 notifies the packet transfer
control means 120 of the counterpart wireless transmission apparatus 102 about the
determined priorities; and the packet transfer control means 120 of the wireless
transmission apparatus 102 controls traffic using the priorities. In this case, the
wireless signal processing means 141 to 143 of the wireless transmission apparatus
15 101 that make the determination as to priorities do not necessarily have the
function of measuring the reception signal level and notifying the wireless
transmission apparatus 102 about the reception signal level. Further, the
counterpart wireless transmission apparatus 102 may not have the link aggregation
control means 130. Still further, in the foregoing embodiments, the wireless
20 transmission apparatus 101 and the wireless transmission apparatus 102 each
measure the reception signal level at the wireless signal processing means 141 to
143 and have the function of notifying the counterpart apparatus about the
reception signal level. However, they may be structured such that: only the
wireless transmission apparatus 101 has Such a function, and transfers the
25 measured reception signal level to the link aggregation control means 130 in the
wireless transmission apparatus 10 1 ; and the link aggregation control means 130
determines priorities and notifies the counterpart wireless transmission apparatus
102 about the priorities. In this case, the wireless signal processing means 141 to
143 of the wireless transmission apparatus 102 may not have the function of
30 measuring the reception signal level and reporting the counterpart apparatus about
the reception signal level.
[0060]
Further, in the foregoing embodiments, though the present invention has
been described as the hardware structure, the present invention is not limited
17
thereto, and any process can be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing
I Unit) to execute a computer program. In this case, the computer program can be
1 provided to a computer as being stored using various types of non-transitory
I computer readable media. The non-transitory computer readable media include
1 5 various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer
readable media include magnetic storage media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic
I
I tapes, and hard disk drives), optical magnetic storage media (e.g., magneto-optical
I ~ disks), CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-RIW, semiconductor memories
I
I (e.g., mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash
I 10 ROM, and RAM (random access memory)). Further, the program may be
provided to a computer using various types of transitory computer readable media.
Examples of transitory computer readable media include electric signals, optical
signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer readable media can
provide the program to a computer via a wired communication line such as electric
15 wires and optical fibers, or a wireless communication line.
[0061]
The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority
from Japanese Patent Application No. 20 11 - 144 107, filed on June 29, 20 11, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
20 [0062]
The foregoing embodiments can also be partially or wholly described as in
the following Supplementary Notes, but are not limited to the following.
[0063]
(Supplementary Note 1)
A wireless transmission system including
a first apparatus and a second apparatus that carry out wireless data
communication via a wireless transmission path using a plurality of physical links
in parallel, wherein
the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling
different ones of the physical links, the plurality of wireless signal processing
means respectively measuring reception signal levels of the physical links, and the
plurality of wireless signal processing means notifying a counterpart one of the
first and second apparatuses about the reception signal levels;
link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
the wireless signal processing means of the counterpart apparatus; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
[0064]
(Supplementary Note 2)
A wireless transmission system including
a first apparatus and a second apparatus that carry out wireless data
communication via a wireless transmission path using a plurality of physical links
in parallel, wherein
the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling
different ones of the physical links; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient, wherein
the wireless signal processing means of the second apparatus respectively
measure reception signal levels of the physical links, the wireless signal
processing means of the second apparatus notifying the first apparatus about the
reception signal levels, and
the first apparatus further includes link aggregation control means for
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal level for
each of the physical links notified by the second apparatus, the link aggregation
control means notifying the packet transfer processing means of the first apparatus
and the second apparatus about the priority.
[0065]
(Supplementary Note 3)
A wireless transmission system including
a first apparatus and a second apparatus that carry out wireless data
communication via a wireless transmission path using a plurality of physical links
e 19
in parallel, wherein
the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling
5 different ones of the physical links; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and given a high priority as a data recipient, wherein
the wireless signal processing means of the first apparatus respectively
10 measure reception signal levels of the physical links, and
the first apparatus further includes link aggregation control means for
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the reception signal
levels, the link aggregation control means notifying the packet transfer processing
means of the first apparatus and the second apparatus about the priority.
15 [0066]
(Supplementary Note 4)
The wireless transmission system according to one of Supplementary Notes
1 to 3, wherein
the wireless signal processing means determines a modulation scheme for
20 each of the physical links based on the reception signal levels being notified, and
the link aggregation control means determines the priority for each of the
physical links based on the modulation scheme for each of the physical links.
[0067]
(Supplementary Note 5)
25 The wireless transmission system according to one of Supplementary Notes
1 to 4, wherein
the data includes packet priorities, and
the packet transfer processing means transmits the data to the physical link
of a high priority, according to an order determined by the packet priorities.
30 [0068]
(Supplementary Note 6)
A wireless transmission apparatus including:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of a
parallel, the plurality of wireless signal processing means respectively measuring
reception signal levels of the physical links, and the plurality of wireless signal
processing means notifying a counterpart apparatus about the reception signal
5 levels;
I
I link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
I physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
I
I the wireless signal processing means of the counterpart apparatus; and
I
I
I packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
I 10 structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
[0069]
(Supplementary Note 7)
A wireless transmission apparatus including:
15 an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of a
plurality of physical links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in
parallel;
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
20 structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient; and
link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
other wireless transmission apparatus, the link aggregation control means
25 notifying packet transfer processing means of the other wireless transmission
apparatus about the priority.
[0070]
(Supplementary Note 8)
A wireless transmission apparatus including:
30 an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of a
plurality of physical links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in
parallel, the plurality of wireless signal processing means respectively measuring
reception signal levels of the physical links, and the plurality of wireless signal
processing means notifying other wireless transmission apparatus about the
reception signal levels; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
[007 11
(Supplementary Note 9)
A wireless transmission apparatus comprising:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of a
plurality of physical links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in
parallel, the plurality of wireless signal processing means respectively measuring
reception signal levels of the physical links;
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient; and
link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
physical links based on the reception signal levels, the link aggregation control
means notifying the packet transfer processing means about the priority.
[0072]
(Supplementary Note 10)
The wireless transmission apparatus according to Supplementary Note 9,
wherein the link aggregation control means notifies also other wireless
transmission apparatus about the determined priority.
[0073]
(Supplementary Note 11)
A wireless transmission apparatus including
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of a
plurality of physical links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in
parallel; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
(Supplementary Note 12)
The wireless transmission apparatus according to one of Supplementary
Notes 6 to 11, wherein
I 5 the wireless signal processing means determines a modulation scheme for
I each of the physical links based on the reception signal levels being notified, and
the link aggregation control means determines the priority for each of the
physical links based on the modulation scheme for each of the physical links.
[0075]
10 (Supplementary Note 13)
The wireless transmission apparatus according to one of Supplementary
Notes 6 to 12, wherein
the data includes packet priorities, and
the packet transfer processing means transmits the data to the physical link
15 of a high priority, according to an order determined by the packet priorities.
[0076]
(Supplementary Note 14)
A wireless transmission method including:
controlling each of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
20 transmission path being used in parallel;
measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
notifying a communication counterpart about the reception signal level;
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal
level for each of the physical links notified by the communication counterpart; and
25 selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0077]
(Supplementary Note 15)
A wireless transmission method including:
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
i - * priority as a data recipient;
I determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal
I level for each of the physical links notified by the communication counterpart;
and;
5 notifying the communication counterpart about the priority.
[0078]
(Supplementary Note 16)
A wireless transmission method including: I
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
10 transmission path being used in parallel;
measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
notifying a communication counterpart about the reception signal levels;
and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
15 path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0079]
(Supplementary Note 17)
A wireless transmission method comprising:
20 controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the reception
signal levels; and
25 selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0080]
(Supplementary Note 18)
30 The wireless transmission method according to Supplementary Note 17,
wherein a communication counterpart is also notified about the determined
priority.
[008 11
(Supplementary Note 19)
24
A wireless transmission method including
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel; and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
5 path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0082]
(Supplementary Note 20)
The wireless transmission method according to one of Supplementary Notes
10 14 to 19, further including determining a modulation scheme for each of the
physical links based on the reception signal levels being notified, wherein the
priority for each of the physical links is determined based on the modulation
scheme for each of the physical links.
[0083]
15 (Supplementary Note 2 1)
The wireless transmission method according to one of Supplementary Notes
14 to 20, wherein
the data includes packet priorities, and
the data is transmitted to the physical link of a high priority, according to
20 an order determined by the packet priorities.
[0084]
(Supplementary Note 22)
A wireless transmission program for causing a computer to perform
operations of:
25 controlling each of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
notifying a communication counterpart about the reception signal level;
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal
30 level for each of the physical links notified by the communication counterpart; and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0085]
(Supplementary Note 23)
A wireless transmission program for causing a computer to perform
operations of:
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
5 transmission path being used in parallel;
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient;
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal
10 level for each of the physical links notified by a communication counterpart; and
notifying the communication counterpart about the priority.
[0086]
(Supplementary Note 24)
A wireless transmission program for causing a computer to perform
15 operations of:
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
notifying a communication counterpart about the reception signal level;
20 and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0087]
25 (supplementary Note 25)
A wireless transmission program for causing a computer to perform
operations of:
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
30 measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the reception
signal level; and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission.
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[OOSS]
(Supplementary Note 26)
The wireless transmission program according to Supplementary Note 25,
further causing the computer to perform an operation of notifying also a
communication counterpart about the determined priority.
[0089]
(Supplementary Note 27)
A wireless transmission program for causing a computer to perform
operations of:
controlling one of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel; and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
[0090]
(Supplementary Note 28)
The wireless transmission program according to one of Supplementary
Notes 22 to 27, further causing the computer to perform operations of determining
a modulation scheme for each of the physical links based on the reception signal
level being notified, wherein the priority for each of the physical links is
determined based on the modulation scheme for each of the physical links.
[009 11
(Supplementary Note 29)
The wireless transmission program according to one of Supplementary
Notes 22 to 29, wherein the data includes packet priorities, and the computer is
further caused to perform an operation of transmitting the data to the physical link
of a high priority, according to an order determined by the packet priorities.
30 Industrial Applicability
[0092]
The present invention can be used for various wireless transmission
systems, such as a mobile communication system.
Reference Signs List
[0093]
100 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
101 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION APPARATUS
5 102 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION APPARATUS
11 1 INPUTIOUTPUT PORT
11 2 INPUTIOUTPUT PORT
11 3 INPUTIOUTPUT PORT
120 PACKET TRANSFER PROCESSING MEANS
10 130 LINK AGGREGATION CONTROL MEANS
141 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
142 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
143 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
201 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION APPARATUS
15 202 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION APPARATUS
2 11 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
212 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
213 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
214 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
20 21 5 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
216 WIRELESS SIGNAL PROCESSING MEANS
221 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION LINK
222 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION LINK
223 WIRELESS TRANSMISSION LINK
25 231 HIGH PRIORITY PACKET
231 MIDDLE PRIORITY PACKET
23 1 LOW PRIORITY PACKET
240 LINK AGGREGATION CONTROL MEANS
250 PACKET TRANSFER PROCESSING MEANS
30

1. A wireless transmission system comprising
a first apparatus and a second apparatus that carry out wireless data
5 communication via a wireless transmission path using a plurality of physical links
in parallel, wherein
the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
l
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling
10 different ones of the physical links, the plurality of wireless signal processing
means respectively measuring reception signal levels of the physical links, and the
plurality of wireless signal processing means notifying a counterpart one of the
first and second apparatuses about the reception signal levels;
link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
15 physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
the wireless signal processing means of the counterpart apparatus; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
20
2. A wireless transmission system comprising
a first apparatus and a second apparatus that carry out wireless data
communication via a wireless transmission path using a plurality of physical links
in parallel, wherein
the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling
different ones of the physical links; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
30 structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient, wherein
the wireless signal processing means of the second apparatus respectively
measure reception signal levels of the physical links, the wireless signal
processing means of the second apparatus notifying the first apparatus about the
reception signal levels, and
the first apparatus further includes link aggregation control means for
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal level for
each of the physical links notified by the second apparatus, the link aggregation
5 control means notifying the packet transfer processing means of the first apparatus
and the second apparatus about the priority.
3. A wireless transmission system comprising
a first apparatus and a second apparatus that carry out wireless data
10 communication via a wireless transmission path using a plurality of physical links
in parallel, wherein
the first apparatus and the second apparatus each include:
an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for respectively controlling
15 different ones of the physical links; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and given a high priority as a data recipient, wherein
the wireless signal processing means of the first apparatus respectively
20 measure reception signal levels of the physical links, and
the first apparatus further includes link aggregation control means for
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the reception signal
levels, the link aggregation control means notifying the packet transfer processing
means of the first apparatus and the second apparatus about the priority.
4. The wireless transmission system according to one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein
the wireless signal processing means determines a modulation scheme for
each of the physical links based on the reception signal levels being notified, and
30 the link aggregation control means determines the priority for each of the
physical links based on the modulation scheme for each of the physical links.
5. The wireless transmission system according to one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein
the data includes packet priorities, and
the packet tramfcrprocessing means transmits the data to the physical link
of a high priority, according to an order determined by the packet priorities.
5 6. A wireless transmission apparatus comprising:
I an inputloutput port that inputs and outputs data;
a plurality of wireless signal processing means for controlling one of a
plurality of physical links structuring a wireless transmission path being used in
parallel, the plurality of wireless signal processing means respectively measuring
10 reception signal levels of the physical links, and the plurality of wireless signal
processing means notifying a counterpart apparatus about the reception signal
levels;
link aggregation control means for determining a priority for each of the
physical links based on the signal level for each of the physical links notified by
15 the wireless signal processing means of the counterpart apparatus; and
packet transfer processing means for selecting, out of the physical links
structuring the wireless transmission path, the physical link having a usable band
of a prescribed capacity and a high priority as a data recipient.
7. The wireless transmission apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
the wireless signal processing means determines a modulation scheme for
each of the physical links based on the reception signal levels being notified, and
the link aggregation control means determines the priority for each of the
physical links based on the modulation scheme for each of the physical links.
8. The wireless transmission apparatus according to one of claims 6 and 7,
wherein
the data includes packet priorities, and
the packet transfer processing means transmits the data to the physical link
30 of a high priority, according to an order determined by the packet priorities.
9. A wireless transmission method comprising:
controlling each of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
3 1 - Tr~- .>--7~"n! C4 ;LtLP+L LAmeasuring
a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
notifying a communication counterpart about the reception signal level;
determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal
level for each of the physical links notified by the communication counterpart; and
5 selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
10. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a wireless
10 transmission program for causing a computer to perform operations of:
controlling each of a plurality of physical links structuring a wireless
transmission path being used in parallel;
measuring a reception signal level for each of the physical links;
notifying a communication counterpart about the reception signal level;
15 determining a priority for each of the physical links based on the signal
level for each of the physical links notified by the communication counterpart; and
selecting, out of the physical links structuring the wireless transmission
path, the physical link having a usable band of a prescribed capacity and a high
priority as a data recipient.
20
Dated this 1tth Day of December 2013 " o " ' / QP- Of Anand And Anand Advocates
Agent for the Applicant