JP5462660B2

JP5462660B2 - Wireless communication system

Info

Publication number: JP5462660B2
Application number: JP2010037815A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 昌典栗田; 淳一鈴木; 和久吉木
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2010-02-23
Filing date: 2010-02-23
Publication date: 2014-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-23
Also published as: JP2011176481A

Description

本発明は、複数の無線局からなる無線通信システムに関するものである。 The present invention relates to a wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless stations.

我が国で使用する無線局については、占有周波数帯幅や隣接チャンネル漏洩電力などの使用電波の特性（ＲＦ特性）が電波法の規定を満たす必要がある。また電波法では使用目的ごとに異なる規格（通信規格）が規定されている。例えば電波法第４条ただし書きにおいて、免許を要しない無線局の一つとして「小電力無線局」が規定されている。「小電力無線局」には「コードレス電話の無線局」、「特定小電力無線局」、「小電力セキュリティシステム」、「小電力データ通信システムの無線局」などがあり、それぞれの無線局の無線設備について同法施行規則の設備規則によって規格が規定されている。 For radio stations used in Japan, radio wave characteristics (RF characteristics) such as occupied frequency bandwidth and adjacent channel leakage power must satisfy the Radio Law. In the Radio Law, different standards (communication standards) are defined for each purpose of use. For example, in the proviso to Article 4 of the Radio Law, “low power radio station” is defined as one of radio stations that do not require a license. “Low-power radio stations” include “cordless phone radio stations”, “specific low-power radio stations”, “low-power security systems”, “low-power data communication system radio stations”, etc. Standards are stipulated for radio equipment according to the equipment regulations of the law.

特定小電力無線局を備えた無線通信システムとして、例えば特許文献１に記載されるような火災報知システムが従来提案されており、この火災報知システムでは、無線局として、多箇所に設置された複数台の火災警報器を備えている。 As a wireless communication system provided with a specific low power wireless station, for example, a fire alarm system as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed, and in this fire alarm system, a plurality of radio stations are installed at multiple locations. A fire alarm is provided.

各々の火災警報器は、火災を感知する火災感知部と、警報音を発する警報部と、火災発生を通知する火災通知情報を無線信号により送受信する無線送受信部と、警報部及び無線送受信部の動作を制御する演算制御部（マイクロコンピュータからなる）を備える。 Each fire alarm includes a fire detection unit that detects a fire, an alarm unit that emits an alarm sound, a wireless transmission / reception unit that transmits and receives fire notification information to notify the occurrence of a fire by wireless signals, and an alarm unit and a wireless transmission / reception unit. An arithmetic control unit (comprising a microcomputer) for controlling the operation is provided.

何れかの火災警報器で火災感知部が火災の発生を感知すると、当該火災警報器の演算制御部が、警報部から警報音を出力させるとともに、無線送受信部から他の火災警報器へ火災通知情報を送信させる。他の火災警報器では、無線送受信部が火元の火災警報器から火災通知情報を受信すると、警報部から警報音を鳴動させている。而して、何れかの火災警報器が火災発生を感知すると、火元の火災警報器だけではなく、複数台の火災警報器から警報音が連動して一斉に出力されるので、火災発生を迅速且つ確実に知らせることができる。 When a fire detection unit detects the occurrence of a fire in any of the fire alarms, the calculation control unit of the fire alarm outputs an alarm sound from the alarm unit, and a fire notification is sent from the wireless transceiver to other fire alarms. Send information. In other fire alarms, when the wireless transmission / reception unit receives the fire notification information from the fire source fire alarm, the alarm unit sounds an alarm sound. Therefore, when any of the fire alarms detects the occurrence of a fire, alarm sounds are output simultaneously from multiple fire alarms, not just the fire source fire alarm. It is possible to notify quickly and reliably.

このように、火災警報器は火災通知情報を無線信号で伝送しており、配線が不要で設置位置の自由度が高いというという特性を活かすために、電池を電源として駆動される。ところで、火災感知器は、メンテランス（電池交換）のしにくい高所（例えば天井）に設置されるため、数年といった長期間にわたってメンテナンス無しで使用できることが望ましく、電池寿命を延ばすために消費電力の低減が求められている。 As described above, the fire alarm device transmits the fire notification information by a radio signal, and is driven using a battery as a power source in order to take advantage of the characteristics that wiring is unnecessary and the degree of freedom of the installation position is high. By the way, fire detectors are installed in high places where maintenance (battery replacement) is difficult (for example, on the ceiling). Reduction is required.

そのため、各火災警報器では、火災感知時に警報を発し火災通知情報を無線伝送する場合を除いて、マイクロコンピュータからなる演算制御部を、低消費電力のスリープ状態に切り替えるとともに、無線送受信部の送受信動作を停止させている。但し、火災感知時以外で演算制御部がスリープ状態に移行していると、他の火災警報器から無線送信された火災通知情報を受信できないため、各火災警報器では、スリープ状態の演算制御部を間欠的に起動し、無線信号の受信動作を行っている。 Therefore, in each fire alarm device, except for the case where a fire is detected and fire notification information is transmitted wirelessly, the computation control unit composed of a microcomputer is switched to a sleep state with low power consumption, and transmission / reception of the wireless transmission / reception unit is performed. The operation is stopped. However, if the calculation control unit is in the sleep state except when a fire is detected, the fire notification information wirelessly transmitted from other fire alarms cannot be received. Is intermittently activated to receive radio signals.

すなわち、演算制御部は、タイマからの起動信号によって起動されると、所望の電波（他の火災警報器から無線送信される火災通知情報）が受信できるか否かをチェックする。尚、電波の受信チェックは、演算制御部が、無線送受信部に受信動作を行わせ、無線送受信部で受信された受信信号の受信信号強度が所定の基準値を超えるか否かを判定することで行っている。受信信号強度が基準値を超えない場合、演算制御部は、無線送受信部の送受信動作を停止させ、次の間欠受信タイミングまでの間欠受信時間をタイマにセットして、カウントを開始させた後、スリープ状態に移行する。一方、受信信号強度が基準値を超えた場合、演算制御部は、無線送受信部の受信状態を継続させ、無線送受信部の受信した受信信号を解析して、自機宛ての通信があるか否かを判断し、自機宛ての通信があればそれに対応する処理を行う。 In other words, when activated by the activation signal from the timer, the arithmetic control unit checks whether or not a desired radio wave (fire notification information wirelessly transmitted from another fire alarm device) can be received. In addition, in the radio wave reception check, the arithmetic control unit causes the wireless transmission / reception unit to perform a reception operation, and determines whether or not the reception signal strength of the reception signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit exceeds a predetermined reference value. Is going on. When the received signal strength does not exceed the reference value, the calculation control unit stops the transmission / reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit, sets the intermittent reception time until the next intermittent reception timing in the timer, and starts counting, Enter sleep mode. On the other hand, if the received signal strength exceeds the reference value, the calculation control unit continues the reception state of the wireless transmission / reception unit, analyzes the reception signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit, and determines whether there is communication addressed to itself. If there is communication addressed to the device, the corresponding processing is performed.

したがって、演算制御部の動作が間欠的になり、また演算制御部が、無線送受信部の受信状態をチェックした際に、所望の電波を受信できない場合は無線送受信部の送受信動作も停止させているので、消費電力を低減して、電池寿命を延ばすことができる。 Therefore, the operation of the arithmetic control unit becomes intermittent, and when the arithmetic control unit cannot receive a desired radio wave when checking the reception state of the wireless transmission / reception unit, the transmission / reception operation of the radio transmission / reception unit is also stopped. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced and battery life can be extended.

特開２００８−１７６５１５号公報JP 2008-176515 A

上述の火災報知システムでは、消費電力を低減するため演算制御部を間欠的に動作させるが、タイマによって起動された演算制御部は、無線送受信部に受信状態のチェックを行わせ、受信信号強度の測定結果をもとに所望の電波が受信できるか否かを判断する。ここで、所望の電波が受信できない場合、演算制御部は無線送受信部の送受信動作を停止させた後、自身の動作状態をスリープ状態に移行させるのであるが、無線送受信部が受信信号強度を測定する間も、演算制御部は動作を継続している。したがって、この間に演算制御部で無駄な電力消費が発生し、その分だけ電池寿命が短くなるという問題があった。 In the above-described fire alarm system, the arithmetic control unit is operated intermittently to reduce power consumption. However, the arithmetic control unit activated by the timer causes the wireless transmission / reception unit to check the reception state and It is determined whether a desired radio wave can be received based on the measurement result. Here, if the desired radio wave cannot be received, the calculation control unit stops the transmission / reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit, and then shifts its operation state to the sleep state, but the wireless transmission / reception unit measures the received signal strength. During this time, the arithmetic control unit continues to operate. Therefore, there is a problem that wasteful power consumption occurs in the arithmetic control unit during this period, and the battery life is shortened accordingly.

本発明は上記事情に鑑みて為されたものであり、その目的とするところは、無線局の消費電力をさらに低減した無線通信システムを提供することにある。 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a wireless communication system in which the power consumption of the wireless station is further reduced.

上記目的を達成するために、第１の発明の無線通信システムは、複数の無線局間で電波を媒体とする無線信号を送受信する無線通信システムであって、各無線局が、無線信号を送受信する無線送受信部と、無線送受信部が受信する無線信号の受信信号強度を測定する電波レベル測定部と、所定の間欠受信時間のカウントが完了する毎に起動信号を出力するタイマと、無線送受信部によって受信された受信信号を解析して自機宛ての情報を取得する演算制御部とを備え、無線送受信部が、演算制御部による動作命令の設定に応じて、無線信号を受信する動作を自律的に行う機能を具備するとともに、電波レベル測定部が、演算制御部による動作命令の設定に応じて、無線送受信部が受信した無線信号の受信信号強度を測定する動作を自律的に行う機能を具備し、演算制御部は、スリープ状態でタイマからの起動信号によって起動すると、無線送受信部及び電波レベル測定部に動作命令を設定するとともに、電波レベル測定部による受信信号強度の測定が完了するまでスリープ状態に移行し、電波レベル測定部による受信信号強度の測定結果が所定の基準値以上であれば、無線送受信部が受信動作を継続して、演算制御部が受信信号を解析し、測定結果が基準値未満であれば、無線送受信部が受信動作を停止することを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals using radio waves as a medium between a plurality of wireless stations, wherein each wireless station transmits and receives wireless signals. A radio transmission / reception unit, a radio wave level measurement unit that measures the received signal strength of a radio signal received by the radio transmission / reception unit, a timer that outputs a start signal every time a predetermined intermittent reception time is counted, and a radio transmission / reception unit And a calculation control unit that analyzes the received signal received by the wireless communication unit and obtains information addressed to itself. The wireless transmission / reception unit autonomously operates to receive a radio signal according to the setting of an operation command by the calculation control unit. The radio wave level measurement unit autonomously performs the operation of measuring the received signal strength of the radio signal received by the radio transmission / reception unit according to the setting of the operation command by the calculation control unit. When the operation control unit is activated by the start signal from the timer in the sleep state, the operation command is set to the wireless transmission / reception unit and the radio wave level measurement unit, and the reception signal strength measurement by the radio wave level measurement unit is completed. If the measurement result of the received signal strength by the radio wave level measurement unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the wireless transmission / reception unit continues the reception operation, the calculation control unit analyzes the received signal, If the measurement result is less than the reference value, the wireless transmission / reception unit stops the reception operation.

第２の発明の無線通信システムは、第１の発明において、電波レベル測定部は、動作命令に基づく受信信号強度の測定が完了すると、演算制御部に起動信号を出力し、演算制御部は、スリープ状態で電波レベル測定部からの起動信号によって起動すると、電波レベル測定部による受信信号強度の測定結果と基準値との高低を比較し、演算制御部は、測定結果が基準値以上であれば、無線送受信部に受信動作を継続させて受信信号を解析し、測定結果が基準値未満であれば、無線送受信部の受信動作を停止させることを特徴とする。 In the wireless communication system of the second invention according to the first invention, the radio wave level measurement unit outputs an activation signal to the calculation control unit when the measurement of the received signal strength based on the operation command is completed. When activated by the activation signal from the radio wave level measurement unit in the sleep state, the received signal strength measurement result by the radio wave level measurement unit is compared with the reference value, and the calculation control unit determines that the measurement result is greater than or equal to the reference value. The reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit is continued and the received signal is analyzed. If the measurement result is less than the reference value, the reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit is stopped.

第３の発明の無線通信システムは、第１の発明において、電波レベル測定部は、受信信号強度の測定結果と基準値との高低を比較し、測定結果が基準値未満であれば、無線送受信部の受信動作を停止させることを特徴とする。 According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radio communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the radio wave level measuring unit compares the measurement result of the received signal strength with the reference value, and if the measurement result is less than the reference value, the radio transmission and reception The reception operation of the unit is stopped.

第４の発明の無線通信システムは、第３の発明において、電波レベル測定部は、受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値以上であれば、演算制御部に起動信号を出力し、演算制御部は、スリープ状態で電波レベル測定部からの起動信号によって起動すると、無線送受信部による受信信号を解析することを特徴とする。 According to a fourth aspect of the wireless communication system of the present invention, in the third aspect, the radio wave level measuring unit outputs an activation signal to the arithmetic control unit if the measurement result of the received signal strength is equal to or greater than a reference value. When activated by an activation signal from the radio wave level measurement unit in the sleep state, the reception signal from the wireless transmission / reception unit is analyzed.

本発明によれば、演算制御部の消費電力をさらに低減することで、無線局の消費電力をさらに低減した無線通信システムを実現することができる。 ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the radio | wireless communications system which further reduced the power consumption of a radio station is further realizable by further reducing the power consumption of a calculation control part.

実施形態１の火災警報器（親局および子局）のブロック図である。It is a block diagram of the fire alarm device (master station and slave station) of the first embodiment. 同上の火災警報器の間欠受信動作を説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the intermittent reception operation | movement of a fire alarm device same as the above. 実施形態２の火災警報器の間欠受信動作を説明するフローチャートである。It is a flowchart explaining the intermittent reception operation | movement of the fire alarm device of Embodiment 2. FIG.

以下、火災を感知して警報音を発するとともに、電波を媒体とする無線信号（火災通知情報を含む）を送信する火災警報器を無線局とした無線通信システム（火災警報システム）に、本発明の技術思想を適用した実施形態について説明する。 Hereinafter, the present invention is applied to a wireless communication system (fire alarm system) in which a fire alarm device that detects a fire and emits an alarm sound and transmits a radio signal (including fire notification information) using a radio wave as a radio station is a radio station. An embodiment to which the technical idea is applied will be described.

（実施形態１）
図１は本実施形態のシステム構成図であり、複数台（図示は２台のみ）の火災警報器ＴＲで火災警報システムが構成されている。なお、以下の説明では、個々の火災警報器について説明する場合は火災警報器ＴＲ１，ＴＲ２，…，ＴＲｎ（ｎは正の整数）と表記し、火災警報器全般の説明を行う場合は火災警報器ＴＲと表記する。 (Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of this embodiment, and a fire alarm system is configured by a plurality of (only two in the drawing) fire alarm devices TR. In the following description, when describing individual fire alarms, they are indicated as fire alarms TR1, TR2,..., TRn (n is a positive integer), and when describing the general fire alarms, fire alarms are provided. It is written as TR.

火災警報器ＴＲは、演算制御部１と、無線送受信部２と、電波レベル測定部３と、タイマ４と、火災感知部５と、警報部６と、電池電源部７とを主要な構成として備える。 The fire alarm TR has a calculation control unit 1, a radio transmission / reception unit 2, a radio wave level measurement unit 3, a timer 4, a fire detection unit 5, an alarm unit 6, and a battery power supply unit 7 as main components. Prepare.

無線送受信部２は、アンテナ２ａから電波を媒体とした無線信号を送信するとともに、他の火災警報器ＴＲが送信した無線信号をアンテナ２ａで受信する。この無線送受信部２は、演算制御部１から動作命令が設定されると、所定の動作、すなわち無線信号を受信する動作を自律的に行う機能を有している。尚、無線送受信部２は、電波法施行規則第６条第４項第３号に規定される「小電力セキュリティシステムの無線局」に準拠しており、その詳細な構成については、従来周知であるから詳細な説明は省略する。 The radio transmission / reception unit 2 transmits a radio signal using radio waves as a medium from the antenna 2a, and receives the radio signal transmitted from another fire alarm device TR by the antenna 2a. The radio transmission / reception unit 2 has a function of autonomously performing a predetermined operation, that is, an operation of receiving a radio signal, when an operation command is set from the arithmetic control unit 1. The wireless transmitter / receiver 2 conforms to “radio station for low power security system” defined in Article 6, Paragraph 4, Item 3 of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations, and its detailed configuration has been well known in the past. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

電波レベル測定部３は、無線送受信部２が受信した無線信号の受信信号強度を測定する。この電波レベル測定部３は、演算制御部１から動作命令が設定されると、所定の動作、すなわち無線信号の受信信号強度を測定する動作を自律的に行う機能を有している。 The radio wave level measurement unit 3 measures the received signal strength of the radio signal received by the radio transmission / reception unit 2. The radio wave level measuring unit 3 has a function of autonomously performing a predetermined operation, that is, an operation of measuring the received signal strength of a radio signal when an operation command is set from the arithmetic control unit 1.

ここにおいて、タイマ４は、後述する間欠受信動作の時間間隔（この時間間隔を間欠受信時間と言う。）のカウント動作を繰り返し行い、カウント動作が完了する毎に起動信号を演算制御部１に出力する。 Here, the timer 4 repeatedly performs a counting operation of a time interval of an intermittent reception operation described later (this time interval is referred to as an intermittent reception time), and outputs an activation signal to the arithmetic control unit 1 every time the counting operation is completed. To do.

火災感知部５は、例えば火災に伴って発生する煙、熱、炎などを検出することで火災を感知すると、スリープ状態の演算制御部１を起動させて、火災感知信号を演算制御部１に出力する。尚、火災感知部５の詳細な構成については従来周知であるから、その詳細な説明は省略する。 For example, when the fire detection unit 5 senses a fire by detecting smoke, heat, flame, or the like generated by the fire, the fire detection unit 5 activates the operation control unit 1 in the sleep state and sends the fire detection signal to the operation control unit 1. Output. In addition, since the detailed structure of the fire detection part 5 is conventionally well-known, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

警報部６は、音（ブザー音や音声メッセージなど）による火災警報（以下、「警報音」と呼ぶ。）を図示しないスピーカから出力することによって、火災の発生を周囲の人に報知する。 The alarm unit 6 notifies a surrounding person of the occurrence of a fire by outputting a fire alarm (hereinafter referred to as “alarm sound”) by sound (such as a buzzer sound or a voice message) from a speaker (not shown).

電池電源部７は、乾電池などの電池を電源として、各部に動作電源を供給する。 The battery power supply unit 7 supplies operation power to each unit using a battery such as a dry battery as a power source.

演算制御部１は、マイクロコンピュータ（図示せず）やメモリ部１ａ（書換可能な不揮発性の半導体メモリからなる）を主構成要素として備える。この演算制御部１は、図示しないメモリ（ＲＯＭあるいはＥＥＰＲＯＭなど）に格納されたプログラムをマイクロコンピュータで実行することによって、後述する各種の機能を実現する。尚、演算制御部１は、自機で火災が感知されていない場合や、タイマ４のタイマ制御による間欠受信動作を行っていない場合は、無線送受信部２の送受信動作を停止して省電力を図るとともに、自身の動作状態を低消費電力のスリープ状態に移行させている。 The arithmetic control unit 1 includes a microcomputer (not shown) and a memory unit 1a (consisting of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory) as main components. The arithmetic control unit 1 realizes various functions to be described later by executing a program stored in a memory (ROM or EEPROM) (not shown) by a microcomputer. Note that the arithmetic control unit 1 stops the transmission / reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 to save power when no fire is detected by itself or when the intermittent reception operation by the timer control of the timer 4 is not performed. At the same time, it shifts its own operating state to a low power consumption sleep state.

演算制御部１の動作状態がスリープ状態に切り替えられている場合に、火災感知部５が火災を感知すると、火災感知部５は演算制御部１に起動信号を出力して、演算制御部１を起動させる。スリープ状態から起動した演算制御部１は、火災感知部５から入力された火災感知信号に基づいて、例えば警報部６が備えるブザーを鳴動させることによって、報知動作を行わせる。尚、ブザー音の代わりに、メモリ（あるいはメモリ部１ａ）に予め格納された音声メッセージ（例えば、「火事です」など）をスピーカから出力させることによって、報知動作を行うものでもよい。また、他の火災警報器ＴＲにも連動して報知動作を行わせるため、演算制御部１は、火災発生を通知する火災通知情報を含む無線信号を、無線送受信部２から送信させる。他の火災警報器ＴＲでは、火災通知情報を含む無線信号を無線送受信部２が受信することによって、無線信号に含まれる火災通知情報を演算制御部１が受け取ると、演算制御部１が、警報部６を制御して報知動作を行わせている。尚、各火災警報器ＴＲｎには固有の識別符号が割り当てられてメモリ部１ａに格納されており、この識別符号を用いて無線信号の宛先並びに送信元（火元）の火災警報器ＴＲｎを特定することができる。 When the operation state of the calculation control unit 1 is switched to the sleep state, when the fire detection unit 5 detects a fire, the fire detection unit 5 outputs a start signal to the calculation control unit 1 so that the calculation control unit 1 Start. Based on the fire detection signal input from the fire detection unit 5, the arithmetic control unit 1 activated from the sleep state performs a notification operation by, for example, sounding a buzzer included in the alarm unit 6. Instead of the buzzer sound, a notification operation may be performed by outputting a voice message (for example, “It is a fire”) stored in advance in the memory (or the memory unit 1a) from a speaker. In addition, the arithmetic control unit 1 causes the radio transmission / reception unit 2 to transmit a radio signal including fire notification information for notifying the occurrence of a fire in order to perform a notification operation in conjunction with other fire alarms TR. In the other fire alarm device TR, when the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 receives the wireless signal including the fire notification information, and the arithmetic control unit 1 receives the fire notification information included in the wireless signal, the arithmetic control unit 1 The notification operation is performed by controlling the unit 6. Each fire alarm device TRn is assigned a unique identification code and stored in the memory unit 1a. Using this identification code, the destination of the radio signal and the source (fire source) fire alarm device TRn are specified. can do.

ここにおいて、演算制御部１は、例えば電池駆動用に設計された低消費電力のマイクロコントローラを用いて構成され、この種のマイクロコントローラとしては例えばテキサス・インスツルメンツ社のＭＳＰ４３０（登録商標）がある。また、特定小電力無線局に準拠した無線送受信部やタイマー機能による間欠受信機能などをワンチップに集積化した通信用のＡＳＩＣも従来提供されている。この種のＡＳＩＣとしては例えばＯＫＩセミコンダクタ株式会社のＭＬ７０６６などがあり、このようなＡＳＩＣを用いて無線送受信部２や電波レベル測定部３やタイマ４が構成されている。 Here, the arithmetic control unit 1 is configured by using, for example, a low power consumption microcontroller designed for battery driving, and for example, there is MSP430 (registered trademark) of Texas Instruments. In addition, a communication ASIC in which a wireless transmission / reception unit compliant with a specific low-power radio station, an intermittent reception function using a timer function, and the like are integrated on a single chip has also been provided. As this type of ASIC, for example, there is ML7066 manufactured by OKI Semiconductor Co., Ltd., and the wireless transmission / reception unit 2, the radio wave level measurement unit 3, and the timer 4 are configured using such an ASIC.

この演算制御部１は、電池電源部７から電源を得ており、電池寿命を延ばすために、消費電力の低減を図っている。すなわち、火災感知時以外は、演算制御部１の動作状態がスリープ状態に切り替えられ、無線送受信部２も送受信動作を停止している。また、他の火災警報器ＴＲから送信される無線信号を受信できるように、演算制御部１は、所定の間欠受信時間が経過する毎に起動されて、所望の電波（他の火災警報器ＴＲが送信した無線信号）を受信できるか否かをチェックする（間欠受信）。この間欠受信時に所望の電波が捉えられれば、演算制御部１は、無線送受信部２に受信動作を継続させ、無線送受信部２で受信した信号の解析を行う。一方、間欠受信時に所望の電波が捉えられなければ、演算制御部１は、直ちに無線送受信部２の受信動作を停止させ、待機状態に移行する。尚、電波の受信チェックは、無線送受信部２から出力される受信信号強度信号（Receiving Signal Strength Indication：ＲＳＳＩ信号）に基づいて、電波レベル測定部３が行っている。ここにおいて、受信信号強度信号（ＲＳＳＩ信号）とは、受信信号強度の大小に比例した直流電圧信号である。 The arithmetic control unit 1 obtains a power source from the battery power source unit 7 and attempts to reduce power consumption in order to extend the battery life. That is, except when a fire is detected, the operation state of the arithmetic control unit 1 is switched to the sleep state, and the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 also stops transmission / reception operations. In addition, the calculation control unit 1 is activated every time a predetermined intermittent reception time elapses so that a radio signal transmitted from another fire alarm device TR can be received, and a desired radio wave (other fire alarm device TR It is checked whether or not it is possible to receive a radio signal transmitted by (intermittent reception). If a desired radio wave is captured during the intermittent reception, the arithmetic control unit 1 causes the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 to continue the reception operation and analyzes the signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 2. On the other hand, if a desired radio wave is not captured during intermittent reception, the arithmetic control unit 1 immediately stops the reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and shifts to a standby state. The radio wave reception check is performed by the radio wave level measuring unit 3 based on a received signal strength signal (Receiving Signal Strength Indication: RSSI signal) output from the radio transmission / reception unit 2. Here, the received signal strength signal (RSSI signal) is a DC voltage signal proportional to the magnitude of the received signal strength.

ところで、電波法施行規則の無線設備規則第４９条の１７「小電力セキュリティシステムの無線局の無線設備」では、電波を発射してから３秒以内にその電波の発射を終了し、且つ、２秒を経過した後でなければ送信できないと定められている（同条第５号参照）。すなわち、電波の送信期間を３秒以内として、送信後に２秒以上の休止期間を設けるよう規定されており、各火災警報器ＴＲでは、上記無線設備規則に適合する送信期間内に送信を終わらせ、その後の休止期間は送信を停止し、受信可能な状態に切り替えている。ここにおいて、上記の間欠受信動作の時間間隔である間欠受信時間は、上記無線設備規則に規定する送信期間（３秒以内）よりも長い時間に設定されている。 By the way, according to Article 49-17 of the Radio Equipment Regulations of the Radio Law Enforcement Regulations, “radio equipment of radio stations of the low-power security system”, the emission of radio waves is completed within 3 seconds after the radio waves are emitted, and 2 It is stipulated that transmission is only possible after the second has elapsed (see item 5 of the same article). In other words, it is stipulated that the transmission period of radio waves is 3 seconds or less, and a pause period of 2 seconds or more is provided after transmission. Each fire alarm device TR ends transmission within the transmission period that complies with the radio equipment regulations. In the rest period thereafter, the transmission is stopped and switched to a receivable state. Here, the intermittent reception time, which is the time interval of the intermittent reception operation, is set to a time longer than the transmission period (within 3 seconds) defined in the radio equipment rule.

ここで、上記の間欠受信動作について図２のフローチャートを参照して詳細に説明する。演算制御部１は、スリープ状態に移行する前にタイマ４に間欠受信時間をセットし、カウント動作を開始させた後（ステップＳ１）、スリープ状態に移行する（ステップＳ２）。タイマ４が、間欠受信時間のカウント動作を完了（カウントアップ）すると（ステップＳ３のＹｅｓ）、タイマ４が演算制御部１に起動信号を出力して、演算制御部１をスリープ状態から起動させる（ステップＳ４）。スリープ状態から起動した演算制御部１は、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３にそれぞれ動作命令を設定した後（ステップＳ５）、電波レベル測定部３による測定動作が完了するまでスリープ状態に移行する（ステップＳ６）。 Here, the above intermittent reception operation will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The arithmetic control unit 1 sets the intermittent reception time in the timer 4 before shifting to the sleep state, starts the counting operation (step S1), and shifts to the sleep state (step S2). When the timer 4 completes (counts up) the counting operation of the intermittent reception time (Yes in step S3), the timer 4 outputs a start signal to the calculation control unit 1 to start the calculation control unit 1 from the sleep state ( Step S4). The calculation control unit 1 activated from the sleep state sets operation commands to the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 (step S5), and then shifts to the sleep state until the measurement operation by the radio wave level measurement unit 3 is completed. (Step S6).

無線送受信部２は、演算制御部１によって動作命令が設定されると、受信動作を自律的に行う（ステップＳ７）。また電波レベル測定部３は、演算制御部１によって動作命令が設定されると、無線送受信部２によって受信された信号の受信信号強度を測定する動作を自律的に行う（ステップＳ８）。電波レベル測定部３は、測定動作を完了すると、演算制御部１に起動信号を出力して、演算制御部１をスリープ状態から起動させる（ステップＳ９）。スリープ状態から起動した演算制御部１は、電波レベル測定部３から受信信号強度の測定結果を取り込み、受信信号強度の測定結果と、所定の基準値との高低を比較する（ステップＳ１０）。ここにおいて、上記の基準値は、他の火災警報器ＴＲから無線信号が送信されていない状態での受信信号強度よりも高く、且つ、他の火災警報器ＴＲから無線信号が送信されている状態での受信信号強度よりも低い値に設定されている。 The wireless transmission / reception unit 2 autonomously performs a reception operation when an operation command is set by the arithmetic control unit 1 (step S7). In addition, when the operation command is set by the arithmetic control unit 1, the radio wave level measurement unit 3 autonomously performs an operation of measuring the received signal strength of the signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 (step S8). When the radio wave level measurement unit 3 completes the measurement operation, the radio wave level measurement unit 3 outputs a start signal to the calculation control unit 1 to start the calculation control unit 1 from the sleep state (step S9). The arithmetic control unit 1 activated from the sleep state takes in the measurement result of the received signal strength from the radio wave level measuring unit 3 and compares the measurement result of the received signal strength with the predetermined reference value (step S10). Here, the reference value is higher than the received signal intensity when no radio signal is transmitted from another fire alarm device TR, and the radio signal is transmitted from another fire alarm device TR. Is set to a value lower than the received signal strength at.

受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値以上であれば（ステップＳ１０のＹｅｓ）、演算制御部１は、他の火災警報器ＴＲから無線信号が送信されていると判断し、無線送受信部２に受信動作を継続させ（ステップＳ１１）、受信信号を解析する（ステップＳ１２）。受信信号を解析した結果、受信信号に火災通知情報が含まれていれば、演算制御部１は、この火災通知情報に基づいて、上述の警報動作を警報部６に行わせ、火元の火災警報器ＴＲに連動して報知動作を行う（ステップＳ１３）。 If the measurement result of the received signal strength is greater than or equal to the reference value (Yes in step S10), the arithmetic control unit 1 determines that a radio signal is being transmitted from another fire alarm device TR and is received by the radio transceiver unit 2. The operation is continued (step S11), and the received signal is analyzed (step S12). As a result of analyzing the received signal, if the fire notification information is included in the received signal, the arithmetic control unit 1 causes the alarm unit 6 to perform the above-described alarm operation based on the fire notification information, and the fire source fire A notification operation is performed in conjunction with the alarm device TR (step S13).

一方、受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値未満であれば（ステップＳ１０のＮｏ）、演算制御部１は、他の火災警報器ＴＲから無線信号が送信されていないと判断して、無線送受信部２の受信動作を停止させる（ステップＳ１４）。その後、演算制御部１は、ステップＳ１の動作に戻って、タイマ４に間欠受信時間をセットし、カウント動作を開始させるとともに、タイマ４がカウントアップするまでスリープ状態に移行する（ステップＳ２）。 On the other hand, if the measurement result of the received signal strength is less than the reference value (No in step S10), the arithmetic control unit 1 determines that no radio signal is transmitted from another fire alarm device TR, and the radio transmission / reception unit 2 is stopped (step S14). Thereafter, the arithmetic control unit 1 returns to the operation of step S1, sets the intermittent reception time in the timer 4, starts the count operation, and shifts to the sleep state until the timer 4 counts up (step S2).

以上説明したように、演算制御部１は、間欠受信時においてタイマ４からの起動信号を受けて起動すると、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３に動作命令を設定した後、スリープ状態に移行する。したがって、無線送受信部２が受信動作を行い、この受信信号強度を電波レベル測定部３が測定する間、演算制御部１はスリープ状態に切り替えられるので、演算制御部１の電力消費をさらに低減できる。よって、無線局（火災警報器ＴＲ）が電池駆動の場合には、電池寿命を延ばすことができ、電池交換の期間を延ばすことができるので、メンテナンス作業の負担を軽減することができる。また、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３は、演算制御部１によって動作命令が設定されると自律的に動作し、受信信号強度が基準値以上の場合は、無線送受信部２が受信動作を継続するので、他の無線局（火災警報器ＴＲ）から送信された無線信号を確実に受信することができる。 As described above, when the arithmetic control unit 1 is activated by receiving an activation signal from the timer 4 at the time of intermittent reception, the operation control unit 1 sets an operation command to the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 and then shifts to a sleep state. To do. Therefore, while the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 performs a reception operation and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 measures the received signal strength, the calculation control unit 1 is switched to the sleep state, so that the power consumption of the calculation control unit 1 can be further reduced. . Therefore, when the radio station (fire alarm device TR) is battery-driven, the battery life can be extended and the battery replacement period can be extended, so that the burden of maintenance work can be reduced. The wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 operate autonomously when an operation command is set by the arithmetic control unit 1, and when the received signal strength is greater than or equal to a reference value, the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 performs a reception operation. Therefore, it is possible to reliably receive a radio signal transmitted from another radio station (fire alarm device TR).

なお本実施形態では、間欠受信時において電波レベル測定部３が受信信号強度の測定を完了すると、電波レベル測定部３が演算制御部１をスリープ状態から起動させ、演算制御部１が受信信号強度の測定結果に基づいて受信信号の有無を判断する。したがって、間欠受信時において、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３に動作命令を設定してから、受信信号強度の測定が完了するまでの間、演算制御部１がスリープ状態となっているから、この間の演算制御部１による消費電力を低減することができる。また演算制御部１が、電波レベル測定部３によって測定された受信信号強度と基準値との高低を比較する。ここで、受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値以上であれば、演算制御部１は無線送受信部２による受信動作を継続させ、受信信号の解析を行うので、他の火災警報器ＴＲからの無線信号を確実に受信することができる。また、受信信号強度が基準値未満であれば、演算制御部１が無線送受信部２の受信動作を停止させるので、無線送受信部２の電力消費を低減することができる。 In the present embodiment, when the radio wave level measuring unit 3 completes the measurement of the received signal strength during intermittent reception, the radio wave level measuring unit 3 activates the calculation control unit 1 from the sleep state, and the calculation control unit 1 receives the received signal strength. The presence or absence of a received signal is determined based on the measurement result. Therefore, at the time of intermittent reception, the calculation control unit 1 is in the sleep state from the time when the operation command is set to the radio transmission / reception unit 2 and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 until the measurement of the received signal strength is completed. In this period, power consumption by the arithmetic control unit 1 can be reduced. Further, the arithmetic control unit 1 compares the received signal intensity measured by the radio wave level measuring unit 3 with the reference value. Here, if the measurement result of the received signal strength is equal to or higher than the reference value, the arithmetic control unit 1 continues the reception operation by the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and analyzes the received signal. The signal can be received reliably. Also, if the received signal strength is less than the reference value, the calculation control unit 1 stops the reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2, so that the power consumption of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 can be reduced.

また、複数の火災警報器ＴＲで構成される無線通信システムでは、特定の火災警報器ＴＲ１（以下、親局と呼ぶ。）が、他の火災感知器ＴＲ２〜ＴＲｎ（以下、子局と呼ぶ。）が正常に動作しているか否かを確認する定期監視を行っている。すなわち、親局の火災警報器ＴＲ１では、演算制御部１が定期的（例えば、２４時間毎）に無線送受信部２を起動して、定期監視メッセージを含む無線信号を子局に送信させる。各子局ＴＲ２〜ＴＲｎでは、演算制御部１が、火災感知部５の故障の有無や、電池電源部７の残量低下の有無を一定周期で（例えば、１時間毎に）監視するとともに、その監視結果（故障の有無及び残容量の低下の有無）をメモリ部１ａに記憶させる。そして、各子局ＴＲ２〜ＴＲｎの演算制御部１は、親局ＴＲ１から定期監視メッセージを受け取ると、メモリ部１ａに記憶している監視結果を通知するための火災通知情報を含む無線信号を親局ＴＲ１に返信する。親局ＴＲ１の演算制御部１は、火災通知情報を含む無線信号の送信後、無線送受信部２を受信状態に切り換えて、各子局ＴＲ２〜ＴＲｎから送信される無線信号を受信する。尚、定期監視メッセージを送信してから所定時間内に火災通知情報を返送してこない子局ＴＲ２…があると、親局ＴＲ１の演算制御部１は、警報部６を制御して、子局ＴＲ２…の異常（通信不可）を報知する。また、何れかの子局ＴＲ２…から、故障発生若しくは電池残量の低下発生を通知する火災通知情報が返送された場合も、親局ＴＲ１の演算制御部１は、警報部６を制御して、子局ＴＲ２…の異常（故障発生、電池残量の低下発生など）を報知する。尚、親局ＴＲ１及び子局ＴＲ２…の演算制御部１は、火災感知部５の故障や電池残量の低下を検知すると、自機の警報部６を直ちに駆動して、異常発生を報知するようになっている。 In a wireless communication system including a plurality of fire alarms TR, a specific fire alarm TR1 (hereinafter referred to as a master station) is referred to as other fire detectors TR2 to TRn (hereinafter referred to as slave stations). ) Is regularly monitored to check whether it is operating normally. That is, in the fire alarm device TR1 of the master station, the arithmetic control unit 1 activates the radio transmission / reception unit 2 periodically (for example, every 24 hours) to transmit a radio signal including a regular monitoring message to the slave station. In each of the slave stations TR2 to TRn, the arithmetic control unit 1 monitors whether there is a failure in the fire detection unit 5 and whether there is a decrease in the remaining amount of the battery power supply unit 7 at a constant period (for example, every hour). The monitoring results (whether there is a failure and whether there is a decrease in the remaining capacity) are stored in the memory unit 1a. When the arithmetic control unit 1 of each of the slave stations TR2 to TRn receives the periodic monitoring message from the master station TR1, the arithmetic control unit 1 transmits a radio signal including fire notification information for notifying the monitoring result stored in the memory unit 1a. Reply to station TR1. After transmitting the radio signal including the fire notification information, the arithmetic control unit 1 of the master station TR1 switches the radio transmission / reception unit 2 to the reception state and receives the radio signal transmitted from each of the slave stations TR2 to TRn. If there is a slave station TR2 that does not send back the fire notification information within a predetermined time after transmitting the periodic monitoring message, the arithmetic control unit 1 of the master station TR1 controls the alarm unit 6 to control the slave station. Announcement of abnormality of TR2. In addition, even when fire notification information notifying the occurrence of a failure or a decrease in the remaining battery level is returned from any of the slave stations TR2, the arithmetic control unit 1 of the master station TR1 controls the alarm unit 6 to Announcement of abnormalities in the stations TR2... When the arithmetic control unit 1 of the master station TR1 and the slave stations TR2... Detects a failure of the fire detection unit 5 or a decrease in the remaining battery level, the arithmetic control unit 1 immediately drives the alarm unit 6 of its own to notify the occurrence of an abnormality. It is like that.

なお、親局ＴＲ１の演算制御部１は、火災感知時に火災通知情報を含む無線信号を無線送受信部２から送信させた後、或いは、何れかの子局ＴＲ２…から火災通知情報を含む無線信号を受信した後、無線送受信部２から一定周期で同期ビーコンを送信させる。この同期ビーコンは、複数の火災警報器ＴＲの間でＴＤＭＡ（時分割多元接続）方式の無線通信（以下、「同期通信」と呼ぶ。）を行うために必要なタイムスロットを規定する信号である。同期ビーコンの１周期は複数のタイムスロットに分割され、全ての子局ＴＲ２…にそれぞれ互いに異なるタイムスロットが１つずつ割り当てられる。そして、親局ＴＲ１から子局ＴＲ２…へのメッセージは同期ビーコンに含めて送信され、子局ＴＲ２…から親局ＴＲ１へのメッセージを含む無線信号は、各子局に割り当てられているタイムスロットに格納されて送信される。したがって、複数台の火災警報器ＴＲ（親局ＴＲ１及び子局ＴＲ２…）から送信される無線信号の衝突を確実に回避することができる。尚、個々の火災警報器ＴＲに対するタイムスロットの割当は固定であってもよいが、親局ＴＲ１から送信する同期ビーコンによって、タイムスロットの割当情報を各子局ＴＲ２…へ通知してもよい。 Note that the arithmetic control unit 1 of the master station TR1 transmits a radio signal including fire notification information from the radio transmission / reception unit 2 when a fire is detected, or receives a radio signal including fire notification information from any of the slave stations TR2. After that, a synchronization beacon is transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 at a constant cycle. This synchronous beacon is a signal that defines a time slot necessary for performing TDMA (time division multiple access) wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as “synchronous communication”) between a plurality of fire alarms TR. . One period of the synchronous beacon is divided into a plurality of time slots, and one different time slot is allocated to each of the slave stations TR2. Then, a message from the master station TR1 to the slave station TR2 ... is included in a synchronization beacon, and a radio signal including a message from the slave station TR2 ... to the master station TR1 is sent to a time slot assigned to each slave station. Stored and sent. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid collision of radio signals transmitted from a plurality of fire alarm devices TR (master station TR1 and slave stations TR2...). Although the time slot assignment for each fire alarm device TR may be fixed, the time slot assignment information may be notified to each slave station TR2... By a synchronous beacon transmitted from the master station TR1.

（実施形態２）
無線通信システムの実施形態２を図４に基づいて説明する。上述の実施形態１では、間欠受信時において電波レベル測定部３が受信信号強度の測定を完了すると、電波レベル測定部３が演算制御部１をスリープ状態から起動させ、演算制御部１が受信信号強度の測定結果と基準値との高低を比較させている。それに対して、本実施形態では、間欠受信時において電波レベル測定部３が受信信号強度の測定を完了すると、電波レベル測定部３が受信信号強度の測定結果と上記の基準値との高低を比較する。ここで、受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値以上の場合のみ、電波レベル測定部３は、演算制御部１をスリープ状態から起動させて、受信信号の解析を行わせる。受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値未満の場合、電波レベル測定部３は演算制御部１を起動させず、演算制御部１はタイマ４がカウントアップするまでスリープ状態を維持する。尚、本実施形態のシステム構成は実施形態１と同じであるので、共通する構成要素には同一の符号を付して、その説明は省略する。 (Embodiment 2)
A wireless communication system according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment described above, when the radio wave level measurement unit 3 completes the measurement of the received signal strength during intermittent reception, the radio wave level measurement unit 3 activates the calculation control unit 1 from the sleep state, and the calculation control unit 1 receives the received signal. The intensity measurement result is compared with the reference value. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the radio wave level measuring unit 3 completes the measurement of the received signal strength during intermittent reception, the radio wave level measuring unit 3 compares the level of the measurement result of the received signal strength with the above reference value. To do. Here, only when the measurement result of the received signal strength is equal to or higher than the reference value, the radio wave level measuring unit 3 activates the arithmetic control unit 1 from the sleep state to analyze the received signal. When the measurement result of the received signal strength is less than the reference value, the radio wave level measurement unit 3 does not activate the calculation control unit 1, and the calculation control unit 1 maintains the sleep state until the timer 4 counts up. In addition, since the system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, common constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

図３は間欠受信時の動作を示すフローチャートであり、このフローチャートに基づいて本実施形態の動作を説明する。 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of intermittent reception, and the operation of this embodiment will be described based on this flowchart.

演算制御部１は、スリープ状態に移行する前にタイマ４に所定の間欠受信時間をセットし、タイマ４にカウント動作を開始させた後（ステップＳ２１）、スリープ状態に移行する。 The arithmetic control unit 1 sets a predetermined intermittent reception time in the timer 4 before shifting to the sleep state, causes the timer 4 to start a counting operation (step S21), and then shifts to the sleep state.

タイマ４がカウントアップすると（ステップＳ２２のＹｅｓ）、タイマ４から演算制御部１に起動信号が出力され、演算制御部１をスリープ状態から起動させる（ステップＳ２３）。スリープ状態から起動した演算制御部１は、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３にそれぞれ動作命令を設定した後（ステップＳ２４）、動作状態をスリープ状態に切り替える（ステップＳ２５）。 When the timer 4 counts up (Yes in step S22), an activation signal is output from the timer 4 to the calculation control unit 1, and the calculation control unit 1 is activated from the sleep state (step S23). The calculation control unit 1 activated from the sleep state sets operation commands to the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 (step S24), and then switches the operation state to the sleep state (step S25).

無線送受信部２は、演算制御部１によって動作命令が設定されると、受信動作を自律的に行う（ステップＳ２６）。また電波レベル測定部３は、演算制御部１によって動作命令が設定されると、無線送受信部２によって受信された信号の受信信号強度を測定する動作を自律的に行う（ステップＳ２７）。電波レベル測定部３は、受信信号強度を測定すると、受信信号強度の測定結果と所定の基準値との高低を比較する（ステップＳ２８）。 When the operation command is set by the arithmetic control unit 1, the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 autonomously performs a reception operation (step S26). In addition, when an operation command is set by the arithmetic control unit 1, the radio wave level measurement unit 3 autonomously performs an operation of measuring the received signal strength of the signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 (step S27). When the radio wave level measuring unit 3 measures the received signal strength, the radio signal level measuring unit 3 compares the received signal strength measurement result with a predetermined reference value (step S28).

ステップＳ２８の判定で受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値以上であれば（ステップＳ２８のＹｅｓ）、電波レベル測定部３は、他の火災警報器ＴＲから無線信号が送信されていると判断し、演算制御部１に起動信号を出力する（ステップＳ２９）。スリープ状態から起動した演算制御部１は、電波レベル測定部３からの起動信号に応じて、無線送受信部２に受信動作を継続させ（ステップＳ３０）、無線送受信部２の受信信号を解析する（ステップＳ３１）。受信信号を解析した結果、受信信号に火災通知情報が含まれていれば、演算制御部１は、この火災通知情報に基づいて、実施形態１で説明した警報動作を警報部６に行わせ、火元の火災警報器ＴＲに連動して報知動作を行う（ステップＳ３２）。 If the measurement result of the received signal strength is greater than or equal to the reference value in the determination in step S28 (Yes in step S28), the radio wave level measurement unit 3 determines that a radio signal is transmitted from another fire alarm device TR, An activation signal is output to the arithmetic control unit 1 (step S29). The arithmetic control unit 1 activated from the sleep state causes the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 to continue the reception operation in accordance with the activation signal from the radio wave level measurement unit 3 (step S30), and analyzes the reception signal of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 ( Step S31). As a result of analyzing the received signal, if the fire notification information is included in the received signal, the arithmetic control unit 1 causes the alarm unit 6 to perform the alarm operation described in the first embodiment based on the fire notification information. A notification operation is performed in conjunction with the fire alarm device TR (step S32).

一方、ステップＳ２８の判定で受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値未満であれば（ステップＳ２８のＮｏ）、電波レベル測定部３は、他の火災警報器ＴＲから無線信号が送信されていないと判断し、無線送受信部２の受信動作を停止させる（ステップＳ３３）。その後、電波レベル測定部３は、ステップＳ１の動作に戻り、タイマ４に間欠受信時間をセットして、カウント動作を開始させており、ステップＳ２以降の動作を繰り返し行わせている。 On the other hand, if the measurement result of the received signal strength is less than the reference value in the determination in step S28 (No in step S28), the radio wave level measurement unit 3 determines that no radio signal is transmitted from another fire alarm device TR. Then, the reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 is stopped (step S33). Thereafter, the radio wave level measuring unit 3 returns to the operation of Step S1, sets the intermittent reception time in the timer 4, starts the counting operation, and repeats the operations after Step S2.

以上説明したように、演算制御部１は、間欠受信時において、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３に動作命令を設定した後、スリープ状態に移行する。そして、無線送受信部２及び電波レベル測定部３がそれぞれ所定の動作を自律的に実行し、電波レベル測定部３が、受信信号強度の測定結果と基準値との高低を比較し、この比較結果から受信信号の有無を判断する。受信信号強度の測定結果が基準値以上であれば、電波レベル測定部３が演算制御部１を起動し、無線送受信部２が受信した受信信号を演算制御部１が解析しているので、他の火災警報器ＴＲからの無線信号を確実に受信することができる。また、受信信号強度が基準値未満であれば、電波レベル測定部３が無線送受信部２の受信動作を停止させるので、無線送受信部２の電力消費を低減することができる。そのうえ、受信レベル測定部３は演算制御部１を起動させず、演算制御部１はタイマ４がカウントアップするまでスリープ状態を維持するので、演算制御部１の電力消費をさらに低減できる。したがって、無線局（火災警報器ＴＲ）が電池駆動の場合には、電池寿命を延ばすことができ、電池交換の期間を延ばすことができるので、メンテナンス作業の負担を軽減することができる。 As described above, the arithmetic control unit 1 sets an operation command to the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 and the radio wave level measurement unit 3 during intermittent reception, and then shifts to a sleep state. Then, the radio transceiver unit 2 and the radio wave level measuring unit 3 each autonomously execute a predetermined operation, and the radio wave level measuring unit 3 compares the measurement result of the received signal strength with the reference value, and the comparison result. The presence or absence of a received signal is determined from the above. If the measurement result of the received signal strength is equal to or higher than the reference value, the radio wave level measuring unit 3 activates the calculation control unit 1 and the calculation control unit 1 analyzes the received signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 2. The radio signal from the fire alarm device TR can be reliably received. Further, if the received signal strength is less than the reference value, the radio wave level measuring unit 3 stops the reception operation of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2, so that the power consumption of the wireless transmission / reception unit 2 can be reduced. In addition, the reception level measurement unit 3 does not activate the calculation control unit 1 and the calculation control unit 1 maintains the sleep state until the timer 4 counts up, so that the power consumption of the calculation control unit 1 can be further reduced. Therefore, when the radio station (fire alarm device TR) is battery-driven, the battery life can be extended and the battery replacement period can be extended, so that the burden of maintenance work can be reduced.

ＴＲ１，ＴＲ２火災警報器（無線局）
１演算制御部
１ａメモリ部
２無線送受信部
３電波レベル測定部
４タイマ
５火災感知部
６警報部
７電池電源部 TR1, TR2 Fire alarm (radio station)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computation control part 1a Memory part 2 Wireless transmission / reception part 3 Radio wave level measurement part 4 Timer 5 Fire detection part 6 Alarm part 7 Battery power supply part

Claims

A wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless signals using radio waves as a medium between a plurality of wireless stations,
Each of the radio stations is activated every time a predetermined intermittent reception time elapses, a radio transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives a radio signal, a radio wave level measurement unit that measures the received signal strength of the radio signal received by the radio transmission / reception unit A timer that outputs a signal, and an arithmetic control unit that analyzes the received signal received by the wireless transmission / reception unit and acquires information addressed to the device itself,
The wireless transmission / reception unit has a function of autonomously performing an operation of receiving a radio signal according to the setting of an operation command by the arithmetic control unit,
The radio wave level measurement unit has a function of autonomously performing an operation of measuring the received signal strength of a radio signal received by the radio transmission / reception unit according to the setting of an operation command by the arithmetic control unit,
When the arithmetic control unit is activated by a start signal from the timer in a sleep state, the operation control unit sets an operation command to the wireless transmission / reception unit and the radio wave level measurement unit, and the measurement of the received signal strength by the radio wave level measurement unit is completed. Go to sleep until
If the measurement result of the received signal strength by the radio wave level measurement unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the wireless transmission / reception unit continues the reception operation, the arithmetic control unit analyzes the received signal, and the measurement result is The wireless communication system, wherein the wireless transmission / reception unit stops the reception operation if it is less than a reference value.

When the measurement of the received signal strength based on the operation command is completed, the radio wave level measurement unit outputs an activation signal to the arithmetic control unit,
When the arithmetic control unit is activated by an activation signal from the radio wave level measurement unit in a sleep state, the measurement result of the received signal strength by the radio wave level measurement unit is compared with the reference value,
If the measurement result is greater than or equal to the reference value, the arithmetic control unit causes the wireless transmission / reception unit to continue the reception operation and analyze the received signal. If the measurement result is less than the reference value, The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the reception operation is stopped.

The radio wave level measuring unit compares the measurement result of the received signal strength with the reference value, and stops the reception operation of the wireless transmitting / receiving unit if the measurement result is less than the reference value. The wireless communication system according to claim 1.

If the measurement result of the received signal strength is equal to or greater than the reference value, the radio wave level measurement unit outputs an activation signal to the arithmetic control unit,
4. The wireless communication system according to claim 3, wherein the arithmetic control unit analyzes a reception signal by the wireless transmission / reception unit when activated by a start signal from the radio wave level measurement unit in a sleep state. 5.