JP2002232432A - Wireless data error rate measurement system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To automatically measure a data error rate between wireless stations performing wireless communication at a required time without stopping the operation of the wireless station. SOLUTION: In a system for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame between a wireless station A and a wireless station B, under the control of a control means 30,
The wireless station A converts the test data from the generating unit 21 into a wireless frame and wirelessly transmits the wireless data, and the wireless station B temporarily stores the received test data in the memory 45 and controls the timing when the traffic is free under the control of the control unit 48. Then, the test data is converted into a wireless frame and wirelessly returned. Then, in the wireless station A, the error rate is calculated by the measuring means 28 based on the returned test data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for measuring a data error rate between wireless stations performing wireless communication in a communication system for performing time-division transmission using wireless frames, and more particularly to a wireless station performing normal data communication. The present invention relates to a technique capable of automatically executing a test for measuring the error rate without stopping operation of the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various information processing terminals such as a personal computer, a mobile tool, and a mobile phone have come to be used close to each other. LA
N has been developed and put into practical use. Also, an information processing terminal or an information processing terminal connected to the subscriber station apparatus.
A subscriber wireless access system (also referred to as FWA or the like) that accommodates an AN or the like and wirelessly connects a subscriber station device to a base station device has been developed and put to practical use.

In such a wireless LAN or a subscriber wireless access system, an information processing terminal or a LAN connecting the information processing terminal is connected to a backbone network such as a public line network via a wireless station. In addition, by installing a wireless station, there is an advantage that the information processing terminal device and its LAN can be easily connected to the backbone network without laying the communication line.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a wireless LAN system. In this wireless LAN system, a wireless station device 2 serving as a master station is connected to a backbone network 1 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and provided, and a desktop computer 4a, a notebook computer 4b, and a printer 4c are provided.
A wireless station device 3 serving as a slave station connected to an information processing terminal device 4 such as a wireless communication device, and performing time division transmission using a wireless frame between the slave station device 3 and the master station device 2. , Data communication can be performed between the information processing devices under the master station device 2, and information under the master device connected to the backbone network 1 with the information processing device under the master station device 2 Data communication can be performed with the processing device.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a subscriber wireless access system. In this subscriber wireless access system, an ATM-S
A wireless station device 7 serving as a base station (BSE) is connected and provided via an exchange 6 such as a W, and connected to a LAN 8 accommodating various information processing terminal devices via a router 9 to a subscriber station (CPE). Under the control of one base station device 7 through two-way wireless communication of a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a radio frame between the subscriber station device 10 and the base station device 7. , And data communication can be performed between an information processing device under the base station device 7 and an information processing device under another base station device 7.

Here, in wireless communication, data communication quality deteriorates due to disturbance such as rainfall, shadowing, and, in some cases, fading. Therefore, a system for performing wireless communication between wireless stations as described above. In
It is necessary to test whether the desired wireless communication quality is obtained not only at the time of installing the wireless station but also thereafter or periodically. For this reason, conventionally, the operation between the wireless stations is stopped, and the operator operates these wireless stations to execute the test, periodically or as needed.

[0007]

However, in the prior art, operation must be stopped in order to test the quality of wireless communication, which hinders use of the system, and workers are assigned to both wireless stations. The test was time-consuming and costly because it had to be operated manually. In particular,
Although the above-described wireless LAN and the subscriber wireless access system have an advantage that the information processing terminal device and the LAN or the like can be easily connected without laying the communication line, it is not necessary for maintenance after that. This required a lot of manpower and cost, and also detracted from the practical appeal of the system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and automatically measures a data error rate between wireless stations performing wireless communication in a time-division manner without stopping the operation of the wireless station. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system capable of performing the above-described operations and a wireless station device configuring the system. Further objects of the present invention will be apparent in the following description.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a system for performing wireless communication by time-division duplex between one wireless station and another wireless station. Means for wirelessly transmitting, means for controlling timing for wirelessly transmitting the test data, and means for measuring an error rate of data based on test data received from another wireless station, The station has a storage unit for temporarily storing test data received from one wireless station, a unit for wirelessly transmitting the test data stored in the storage unit, and a time-division timing for wirelessly transmitting the test data. Means for controlling according to the use status of the wireless slot.

Therefore, the test data is wirelessly transmitted from one wireless station at a predetermined timing such as regular or as needed, or at a timing such as a timing that does not hinder the operation in which the normal data transmission is small. Other wireless stations that have received the test data temporarily hold the test data and send it to one wireless station at a timing that does not hinder normal data communication, such as when the time-division wireless slot usage is low. Return the test data once held,
One wireless station measures the error rate of the wireless data based on the returned test data.

[0011] The present invention is also a radio station apparatus for configuring the above system, and the radio station apparatus includes:
Means for wirelessly transmitting the test data, means for controlling the timing for wirelessly transmitting the test data, and means for measuring the error rate of the data based on the test data returned and received by another wireless station. , Is provided. Further, the wireless station device according to the present invention includes a storage unit for temporarily holding test data received from another wireless station, a unit for wirelessly transmitting the test data held in the storage unit, Means for controlling the timing of wireless transmission to another wireless station according to the use state of the time-division wireless frame,
It has.

The present invention is also directed to a system for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame between wireless stations, comprising: a means for wirelessly transmitting test data on its own side to both wireless stations; A measurement unit that controls timing of wirelessly transmitting the test data on the own side and a unit that measures an error rate of the data based on the test data on the own side that is returned from the other wireless station and received Side function unit, storage means for temporarily holding the test data of the other party received from the other wireless station, means for wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party held in the storage means, and the test of the other party And a means for controlling the timing of wirelessly transmitting the application data in accordance with the use status of the wireless slot.

Therefore, the test data is wirelessly transmitted from one wireless station at a predetermined timing, such as at regular or any time, or at a timing that does not hinder the operation in which normal data transmission is small. The other wireless stations that have received the test data temporarily hold the test data and return the temporarily held test data to one wireless station at a timing that does not hinder normal data communication.
A measurement method in which one wireless station measures the error rate of wireless data based on the returned test data can be performed in both directions of these wireless stations.

Further, the present invention is also a radio station apparatus for configuring the system as described above, wherein a means for wirelessly transmitting the test data on its own side and a timing for wirelessly transmitting the test data on its own side are provided. A measuring function unit having means for controlling, a means for measuring the data error rate based on the test data on its own side which has been looped back and received from the other wireless station; Storage means for temporarily holding the test data of the other side, means for wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party held in the storage means, and the timing of wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party to the wireless slot usage status. And a return-side function unit having a means for controlling according to the following.

Further, according to the present invention, in a system for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame between one wireless station and another wireless station, one wireless station includes test data. Means for wirelessly transmitting the test data, and means for controlling the timing of wirelessly transmitting the test data, and the other radio stations have an error rate of the data based on the test data received from one radio station. Means for measuring.

Therefore, the test data is wirelessly transmitted from one wireless station at a predetermined timing, such as regular or anytime, or at a timing that does not hinder the operation with less normal data transmission. Other wireless stations receiving the test data measure the error rate of the wireless data.
Since this measurement system does not return the test data, it can be applied to time-division two-way wireless communication, but can also be applied to time-division one-way communication.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an embodiment in which a test is performed by a loopback method of test data.
2 shows a configuration of a wireless station device having a test data transmission function and a data error rate measurement function, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a wireless station device having a test data return function.

Here, in the wireless LAN system as shown in FIG. 6, the wireless station device shown in FIG. 1 is used as the master station device 2 (or the slave station device 3), and the wireless station device shown in FIG. It is used as the slave station device 3 (or the master station device 2). In the subscriber radio access system as shown in FIG. 7, the radio station shown in FIG. 1 is used as the base station 7 (or the subscriber station 10), and the radio station shown in FIG. Client station device 10 (or base station device 7)
Used as

The radio station apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 4 and 5 to be described later has a normal data communication function for the backbone network 1, a normal data communication function for the network 5 such as an ATM dedicated network, and a subscription. LA
It has normal communication function units that should be provided as a wireless station device, such as a normal data communication function for the N8 and the information processing terminal device 4, but these are publicly known, and the characteristic portions according to the present invention are clearly described. The illustration is omitted for the sake of clarity.

The radio station apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a generating means 21 for generating pseudo-random pattern sequence data as test data, a transmission data processing means 22 for generating a radio frame of transmission data, a radio station for transmitting a radio frame. Radio transmitting means 2 for performing modulation and up-conversion
3. Switch 24 for switching between transmission and reception, antenna 25 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, wireless receiving means 26 for performing wireless demodulation and down-conversion of received wireless frames, and received data processing means 27 for disassembling received wireless frames A data error rate detecting means 28 for calculating a data error rate based on the received pseudo-random pattern sequence data; a reporting means 29 for reporting based on the data error rate; A control unit 30 is provided for managing the timing at which the random pattern sequence data is to be transmitted.

The transmission data processing means 22 adds data for bit synchronization and frame synchronization, and a flag to indicate that the data is pseudo random pattern sequence data for testing in order to distinguish it from normal communication data. , The pseudo random pattern sequence data to be transmitted is configured into a radio frame. Further, the data error rate detecting means 28 calculates the data error rate by comparing the transmitted pseudo random pattern sequence data with the received pseudo random pattern sequence data.

The notifying means 29 displays the calculated error rate on a display unit provided in the wireless station device, turns on a lamp provided in the wireless station device, connects via a backbone network or the like. Various notification modes can be adopted, such as transmitting the calculated error rate or the fact that the error rate exceeds a predetermined value to the server of the system management center to be executed. In addition, the control means 30 can employ various modes of timing management, such as regular monitoring of data communication traffic at regular intervals such as every day, random monitoring, and the like, and relatively free timing. .

On the other hand, the radio station apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes an antenna 41 for transmitting and receiving a radio signal, a switch 42 for switching between transmission and reception, a radio receiving means 43 for performing radio demodulation and down-conversion of a received radio frame, Received data processing means 4 for disassembling radio frames
4. A memory 45 as a storage unit for temporarily storing received pseudo-random pattern sequence data, a transmission data processing unit 46 for generating a radio frame of transmission data, and performing radio modulation and up-conversion of a radio frame to be transmitted. Wireless transmitting means 47, these functional means 41 to 41
A control unit 48 is provided which controls the timing of returning the pseudo-random pattern sequence data temporarily stored in the memory 45 and controls the overall control of the memory 47.

The above-mentioned control means 48 can employ various modes of timing management which do not hinder normal operation, such as monitoring normal data communication traffic and relatively vacant timing.

For example, FIG.
The error rate measurement of wireless data is performed without stopping the normal operation in the sequence shown in FIG. Note that FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the radio station having the pseudo-random pattern sequence generation function and the error rate measurement function shown in FIG. 1 is used as a slave station of a wireless LAN or a subscriber station of a subscriber radio access system. A wireless station having a loopback function using a memory is used as a master station of a wireless LAN or a base station of a subscriber wireless access system, and the master station or the base station accommodates a plurality of slave stations or subscriber stations. In this communication system, generation of a pseudo-random pattern sequence and error rate measurement for each slave station or subscriber station can be distributed and burdened to each slave station or subscriber station without being concentrated on the master station or base station. Therefore, this aspect is preferable in terms of the configuration of the wireless station device and system operation.

First, under the control of the control means 30 at the slave station (subscriber station), the generation means 21 generates a test pseudo-random pattern sequence (return data), and the transmission data processing means 22 generates a synchronization data sequence. Data, a flag indicating that the data is test data, the address of the master station (base station) of the transmission partner, the address of the own station, and the like are added to form the return data into a wireless frame. The wireless frame is wirelessly modulated and transmitted from the antenna 25 via the switch 24 switched to the transmitting side.

In the master station (base station), under the control of the control means 48, the radio frame is received by the antenna 41, and the radio reception means 43 transmits the received radio frame via the switch 42 switched to the receiving side. By performing radio demodulation or the like, the reception data processing unit 44 disassembles the radio frame. Here, based on the flag information in the wireless frame, the control unit 48 determines that the data is for a test, and causes the memory 45 to store the return data (pseudo random pattern sequence) in the wireless frame.

Then, the control means 48 determines the timing when the normal data communication traffic is vacant, and the transmission data processing means 46 uses the synchronization data and the test data for the return data held in the memory 45 at the timing. Flag indicating presence, slave station (subscriber station) of transmission destination
, The address of the own station, etc., to form a wireless frame, and the wireless transmitting means 47 wirelessly modulates the wireless frame and switches to the transmitting side.
The wireless frame is transmitted from the antenna 41 via the.

Under the control of the control means 30, the slave station (subscriber station) of the transmission source transmits the radio frame to the antenna 25.
Then, the wireless receiving means 26 wirelessly demodulates the received wireless frame via the switch 24 switched to the receiving side, and the received data processing means 27 disassembles the wireless frame. Here, based on the flag information in the radio frame, the control unit 30 determines that the data is for a test, and sends the data for return (a pseudo random pattern sequence) in the radio frame to the data error rate detection unit 28, and Calculate the error rate of the received data.

By performing the above-described series of processing between the slave station (subscriber station) and the master station (base station), the error rate of the radio data between these stations is measured, Although notified, as shown in FIG. 3, the return processing timing when the traffic is free (return data 1) and the return processing timing when the traffic is congested (return data 2) are controlled. ing.

That is, under the control of the control means 48, the master station (base station) does not need to perform normal data communication processing (transmission / reception of other station operation data) with another slave station (subscriber station). At the timing, the pseudo-random pattern sequence (return data 1) held in the memory 45 is immediately returned to the slave station (subscriber station), but normal data communication processing with another slave station (subscriber station) is performed. At the timing that needs to be performed, this is prioritized, and the pseudo-random pattern sequence (return data 2) held in the memory 45 at the timing when the normal data communication processing is completed and traffic is free becomes available to the slave station (subscriber station). ). Therefore, the test is automatically performed without interrupting the normal operation between the slave station (subscriber station) and the master station (base station).

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a wireless station device A and a wireless station which perform wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission with wireless frames are used. Both the apparatus B and the apparatus B have a function of generating a test pseudo-random pattern sequence, a data error rate measurement function, and a function of returning a test pseudo-random pattern sequence. It should be noted that which of the radio station apparatus A and the radio station apparatus B is used as a master station (base station) and a slave station (subscriber station) is arbitrary. In the following description, based on FIGS. The same reference numerals are given to the respective functional units described above, and overlapping description will be omitted.

In this example, the control means 30 and 48 provided in the radio station A and the radio station B respectively have the test start timing control function and the return timing control function as described above. The station A and the wireless station B each generate and transmit a pseudo-random pattern sequence, and perform a measurement report of the data error rate based on the pseudo-random pattern sequence returned from the partner station. Therefore, a bidirectional test between the master station (base station) and the slave station (subscriber station) can be automatically executed at a necessary time without hindering normal operation.

FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a wireless station which performs one-way or two-way wireless communication by a time-division transmission method using a wireless frame. In a system including C and a wireless station D, at least the wireless station C on the transmitting side has a pseudo-random pattern sequence generation function for testing, and at least the wireless station D on the receiving side has a data error rate measuring function The test is performed in one-way communication without the loopback function of the test pseudo-random pattern sequence. It should be noted that which of the radio station C and the radio station D is a master station (base station) and a slave station (subscriber station) is arbitrary, and will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals are given to the respective functional units described above, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the control means 30 provided in the radio station C has the function of controlling the test start timing as described above, and the radio station D transmits the pseudo-random pattern sequence transmitted from the radio station C. The radio station D receives and reports the measurement of the data error rate based on the pseudo random pattern sequence received by the radio station D. Therefore, a one-way test between the master station (base station) and the slave station (subscriber station) can be automatically executed when necessary.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a wireless communication system for performing two-way wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using wireless frames. In a system including a station E and a radio station F, at least a radio station E on the transmitting side of test data is provided with a test pseudo-random pattern sequence generation function and a reporting unit, and at least a radio on the receiving side of test data is provided. Station F
Is provided with a data error rate measurement function, and performs a test in one-way communication without the function of looping back the test pseudo-random pattern sequence. It should be noted that which of the wireless station E and the wireless station F is the master station (base station) and which is the slave station (subscriber station) is arbitrary. In the following description, based on FIG. 1 and FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the respective functional units described above, and overlapping description will be omitted.

In this example, the control means 30 provided in the radio station E has a control function of the test start timing as described above, and further transmits a measurement clear notification and a measurement result notification request notification to the radio station F. It has a function of transmitting data in a wireless frame, a function of determining reception when a measurement result is transmitted from the wireless station F, and a function of reporting the communication result from the communication means 29. After transmitting the clear notification of the rate measurement result, the pseudo-random pattern sequence is transmitted, the wireless station F receives the clear notification, and the control unit 48 clears the error rate measurement result. Thereafter, the radio station F receives the pseudo-random pattern sequence and continues measuring the error rate. Also, the radio station E
By issuing and transmitting the measurement result request notification from the side, the wireless station F transmits the current measurement result to the wireless station E after receiving the measurement result request notification. The wireless station E sends a measurement report of the data error rate along with the notification of the measurement result. Therefore, master station (base station) and slave station (subscriber station)
One-way testing can be performed automatically when needed.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Data error rate measurement between wireless stations that perform wireless communication using a communication method that performs time-division transmission using wireless frames can be automatically performed at the required time, without stopping the operation of the wireless station, and without requiring any labor. And the communication quality between the radio stations can be maintained satisfactorily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of one radio station apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of the other wireless station device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication operation between wireless station devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a wireless LAN system.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a subscriber wireless access system.

[Explanation of symbols]

2, 3, 7, 10, A, B, C, D, E, F: radio station apparatus, 21: pseudo random pattern sequence generating means, 28: data error rate detecting means, 30: control means, 45: memory, 48: control means,

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame between one wireless station and another wireless station, wherein one wireless station wirelessly transmits test data. Means,
Means for controlling the timing of wirelessly transmitting the test data, and means for measuring the data error rate based on the test data received from another wireless station. A storage unit for temporarily storing test data received from the wireless station, a unit for wirelessly transmitting the test data stored in the storage unit, and a timing for wirelessly transmitting the test data in accordance with the use state of the time-division wireless frame. Means for controlling the radio data transmitted from one radio station by another radio station and measuring the error rate of the radio data by one radio station. Error rate measurement system. 2. A wireless station apparatus for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission with a wireless frame with another wireless station, means for wirelessly transmitting test data, and wirelessly transmitting the test data. A wireless station apparatus comprising: means for controlling the timing at which the test is performed; and means for measuring an error rate of the data based on the test data returned and received by another wireless station. 3. A wireless station device for performing wireless communication with another wireless station by a communication method of performing time-division transmission with a wireless frame using a wireless frame, wherein a storage means for temporarily holding test data received from another wireless station. Means for wirelessly transmitting the test data held in the storage means, and means for controlling the timing of wirelessly transmitting the test data to another wireless station in accordance with the use state of the time-division wireless frame. A wireless station device characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A system for performing wireless communication according to a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame between wireless stations, comprising: means for wirelessly transmitting test data of the wireless communication apparatus to both wireless stations; A measurement-side functional unit having means for controlling timing for wirelessly transmitting test data, and means for measuring an error rate of data based on the own-side test data received by being returned from the other wireless station; Storage means for temporarily holding the test data of the other party received from the other wireless station, means for wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party held in the storage means, and wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party. A return-side function unit having means for controlling the transmission timing in accordance with the use state of the radio frame, and transmitting the test data wirelessly transmitted from both radio stations to the other radio station. Error rate measuring system of the wireless data and measuring the error rate of the radio data by the folding and the source of the radio station. 5. A wireless station apparatus for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame with the other wireless station, wherein: a means for wirelessly transmitting test data on its own side; Means for controlling the timing of wirelessly transmitting the data for use, and a measurement-side functional unit having means for measuring the error rate of the data based on the test data on its own side that has been returned and received from the other wireless station, Storage means for temporarily storing the test data of the other party received from the other wireless station; means for wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party stored in the storage means; and wirelessly transmitting the test data of the other party A loopback-side function unit having means for controlling the timing to perform according to the use state of the radio frame. 6. A system for performing wireless communication by a communication method of performing time-division transmission using a wireless frame between one wireless station and another wireless station, wherein test data is wirelessly transmitted to one wireless station. Means,
Means for controlling the timing of wirelessly transmitting the test data, and means for measuring an error rate of the data based on the test data received from one of the wireless stations. An error rate measurement system for wireless data.