JP2947351B1 - Learning type wireless packet transfer method and wireless base station using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention enables packet transfer without increasing the device scale and power consumption of a wireless base station, and enables the wireless base station to easily determine an appropriate wireless base station to which the wireless base station will transfer next. SOLUTION: A radio base station receiving a packet B transferred between radio base stations associates a source radio terminal indicated by a source address with a source radio base station indicated by a source station address. Register in the address table. Further, for the destination wireless terminal indicated by the destination address of the packet B, the source address (source wireless terminal) registered in the address table is searched, and the corresponding transmission station address (transfer source wireless base station) is set to the reception station address ( A packet B to be a destination wireless base station is generated. If the destination wireless terminal is not registered in the address tables of all wireless base stations, the first transmission packet is transferred to all wireless base stations, and the packet addressed to the registered wireless terminal is transmitted regardless of the source wireless terminal. First, the transfer destination is determined based on the address table.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a packet transfer method for a wireless packet network. In particular, (1) wireless packet transfer between wireless base stations, (2) wireless packet path switching when a wired wireless terminal moves through the wireless base station, and when switching between wired and wireless connections, (3) wireless The present invention relates to a learning-type wireless packet transfer method used for packet transfer path switching when a base station switches an upper wireless base station.
Further, the present invention relates to a configuration of a radio base station using this method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a wired network, there are a packet transfer method using a learning bridge (transparent bridge) and a packet transfer method using a source routing bridge.

FIG. 41 shows an example of a network using a learning bridge (prior art 1). The learning bridge has interfaces # 1, # 2, and # 3, and terminals PC1, PC2, and PC3 are connected to the respective interfaces. When the learning bridge receives the packet,
The MAC address of the source terminal and the interface that received the packet are stored in the learning table in association with each other. Here, PC1 is associated with $ 1, PC2 is associated with $ 2, and PC3 is associated with $ 3.

If the destination terminal is registered in the learning table and the interface associated with the learning table is not the interface that received the packet, the packet is transmitted from the interface associated with the destination terminal. If the destination terminal is registered in the learning table and the associated interface is the interface that has received the packet, the packet is discarded. If the destination terminal is not registered in the learning table, the packet is transmitted from all interfaces other than the interface that received the packet.

FIG. 42 shows an example of a network using a source routing bridge (prior art 2). The source routing bridges B1 and B2 have interfaces # 1 and # 2, respectively, and
1 and the interface # 1 of the source routing bridge B2 are connected. The terminals PC1 and PC2 are connected to the respective interfaces of the source routing bridge B1, and the terminals PC1 and PC2 are connected to the respective interfaces of the source routing bridge B2.
1, PC3 are connected.

[0006] Source routing bridges B1, B2
Receives the packet, selects the next destination source routing bridge based on the routing information indicated in the header of the packet, and transfers the packet. When transmitting a data packet, the transmitting terminal first broadcasts a search frame including the MAC address of the destination terminal. The destination terminal receiving this search frame,
The all-routes search frame to which the MAC address of the transmitting terminal is assigned is broadcast. The source routing bridge that has received the all-routes search frame writes the identifier of its own station and transfers it to another source routing bridge.

The transmitting terminal selects, for example, an all-routes search frame having the smallest number of identifiers of the written source routing bridge from the received plurality of all-routes search frames and stores the frame in the route information table. For example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the route information table of the terminal PC1 includes “B1, # 2, B2” as the route information to the terminal PC3.
2, $ 2 "is registered, and" B1, $ 2 "is registered as the route information to the terminal PC2. The transmitting terminal transmits the routing information in the header portion of the data packet as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the permutation of the identifier of the source routing bridge written in the selected all-routes search frame is copied and transmitted.

[0008]

The prior arts 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. 41 and 42 are both based on a wired network, and are used for packet transfer in a wireless packet network composed of wireless base stations and wireless terminals. The following problems arise when applied to

In prior art 1 shown in FIG. 41, a learning bridge has a plurality of interfaces, and registers a transmitting terminal and an interface that has received the packet in a learning table in association with each other when receiving a packet. In order for a wireless base station to have the same function as a learning bridge, it must first have a plurality of interfaces. However, the antenna and the modulation / demodulation circuit that constitute the interface of the wireless base station are more complicated than the interface of the learning bridge, and there is a problem that the device size of the wireless base station increases. In addition, since power consumption increases when a plurality of antennas and a modulation / demodulation circuit are provided, the available time is limited when the wireless base station is driven by a battery.

When the prior art 2 shown in FIG. 42 is applied to a wireless packet network, all wireless terminals transmitting a packet broadcast a search frame to obtain routing information, and a destination wireless terminal broadcasts an all route search frame. Need to send. That is, every time the first packet transmission or the transmission source wireless terminal changes, two broadcast transmissions of the search frame and the all-routes search frame are required. However, in a wireless network having a smaller transmission capacity than a wired network, there is a problem that the influence of a decrease in throughput due to the twice broadcast transmission of a search frame and an all-routes search frame is large.

The present invention provides a learning-type wireless packet transfer method that enables packet transfer without increasing the device size and power consumption of a wireless base station in a wireless packet communication system including a wireless base station and wireless terminals. And a wireless base station using the method.

Further, the present invention provides a wireless packet communication system including a wireless base station and a wireless terminal, which is used when the wireless base station determines an appropriate wireless base station to be transferred next, by using a search frame or an all-path search. An object of the present invention is to provide a learning-type wireless packet transfer method that does not require broadcast transmission of a frame and enables effective use of radio frequency resources, and a wireless base station using the method.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a learning type wireless packet transfer method and a wireless base station using the method, wherein a packet B transferred between the wireless base stations includes a source address and a transmitting station address. Take advantage of having. That is, the radio base station that has received the packet B registers the source radio terminal / radio base station indicated by the source address and the transfer source radio base station indicated by the transmission station address in the address table in association with each other. Also, for the destination wireless terminal / wireless base station indicated by the destination address of packet B, the source address (source wireless terminal / wireless base station) registered in the address table is searched, and the corresponding transmission station address (source wireless address) is searched. A packet B having the base station) as the receiving station address (transfer destination radio base station) is generated. Thereby, the transfer destination wireless base station corresponding to the destination wireless terminal / wireless base station can be known, and the transfer processing can be performed promptly.

When the destination wireless terminal is not registered in the address tables of all wireless base stations, the first transmission packet is transferred to all wireless base stations, but the packet addressed to the registered wireless terminal is transmitted. The transfer destination is determined based on the address table regardless of the source wireless terminal. The address table is updated each time. Therefore, it is possible to improve the throughput as compared with the related art which requires twice the broadcast transmission of the search frame and the all-routes search frame each time the first packet transmission or the transmission source wireless terminal changes.

When a wireless terminal moves to a cell of another wireless base station, or when a wired wireless terminal switches from wireless connection to wired connection, each wireless terminal is addressed to the source wireless base station to which it originally belonged. , And transmits a handoff packet having the own station as a transmission source (claims 3 and 4). When the wired wireless terminal switches from the wired connection to the wireless connection, the wireless base station transmits a wireless connection packet with its own station as a transmission source, and each wireless base station transfers the wireless connection packet to the wired wireless base station. Then, the wired base station performs broadcast transmission to the wired network (claim 4). By transferring the handoff packet and the wireless connection packet, the information in the address table of each wireless base station is updated, and even if there is a change in each situation, the transfer route of the packet can be quickly determined based on the address table.

When the radio base station switches the communication path with the upper radio base station (switching source radio base station) to another radio base station (switching destination radio base station) and belongs to the switching destination radio base station,
From the wireless terminals registered in your address table,
All wireless terminals associated with the wireless base stations other than the switching source wireless base station, all wireless terminals registered in the belonging table, and all lower wireless base stations registered in the relay wireless base station table are extracted. It instructs all wireless terminals and all wireless base stations to transmit handoff packets to the switching source wireless base station (claim 5). In addition, the wireless base station that performs the belonging change uses these as the transmission source instead of all the wireless terminals and all the wireless base stations extracted as described above, and transmits the handoff packet to the switching source wireless base station by proxy (claim 6). ).

By transferring such a handoff packet to the switching source radio base station, the information in the address table of each radio base station is updated, and even if there is a change in each situation, the packet transfer route is determined based on the address table. Can be determined promptly.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Basic Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a wireless packet network to which the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claims 1 and 2 is applied.

In the figure, AP indicates a radio base station, and STA indicates a radio terminal. Each of the radio base stations AP1 to AP5 periodically transmits a beacon signal to which its own MAC address is assigned, and a range where the signal reaches is called a cell (shown by a broken line). When the wireless terminal STA receives the beacon signal,
The STA belonging signal is transmitted to the source AP. The AP that has received the STA belonging signal determines that the source STA exists in its own cell, and registers it in the belonging table. FIG.
In the example of STA1, STA1 belongs to AP1 and STA5 belongs to AP1.
5 The AP may notify the STA of the completion of the assignment to improve the reliability. FIG. 3A shows a membership table in which each AP registers STAs existing in its own cell.

Further, a relay path between the APs is set in advance so that a loop does not occur. In setting this relay route,
The above beacon signal is used. The wireless packet network administrator selects one specific AP to be a root. In the example of FIG. 1, it is AP1. First, AP1 periodically transmits a beacon signal. The AP that has received the beacon signal transmits an AP belonging signal to the transmission source AP1. In the example of FIG.
AP2, AP3 and AP4 receive the beacon signal of AP1 and transmit an AP belonging signal to AP1. Upon receiving the AP belonging signal, AP1 determines that AP2 to AP4 are relayable APs and registers them in the relay AP table. Also AP2
AP4 registers AP1 in the relay AP table as a higher-level AP. AP1 reports completion of attribution to improve reliability
You may notify P2 to AP4.

Subsequently, AP2 to AP4 similarly start transmitting beacon signals. At this time, the upper AP
Ignores beacon signals from lower APs. APs that have registered a common upper AP ignore each other's beacon signals. In the example of FIG. 1, AP5 receives beacon signals from both AP2 and AP4. The AP 5 selects one of the source APs of the beacon signal and transmits an AP belonging signal. As a selection method, an AP having a maximum reception electric field strength of a beacon signal, an AP having a minimum reception error rate of a beacon signal is selected, or a field indicating an AP traffic volume is provided in the beacon signal. For example, there is a method of selecting an AP having a minimum traffic amount. In the example of FIG. 1, AP5 selects AP2 and transmits an AP belonging signal. AP that received the AP belonging signal
2 registers AP5 in addition to AP1 in the relay AP table. Also, AP5 sets AP2 as the upper AP and relays A
Register in the P table.

By the above procedure, a tree structure as shown in FIG. 2 is formed as a communication path between each AP in the wireless packet network of FIG. FIG. 3B shows a relay AP table in which each AP registers the relay destination (transfer destination) AP based on the tree structure of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a packet format used in the learning wireless packet transfer method of the present invention. The packet A is used for a transfer packet from the STA to the AP and has at least fields of a source address, a destination address, and a receiving station address in a header portion. Packet B
Is used for a transfer packet between APs and has at least fields of a source address, a destination address, a transmitting station address, and a receiving station address in a header portion. Packet C
Is used for a transfer packet from the AP to the STA, and has at least a source address field and a destination address field in a header portion.

Here, the source address is the MAC address of the source STA of the packet, the destination address is the MAC address of the destination STA of the packet, the transmission station address is the MAC address of the source AP transmitting the packet, and the reception station address is MAC of the destination AP that receives the packet
Indicates an address. Also, the data part is a data packet,
Handoff packet (H), wireless connection packet (C),
The handoff instruction packet (R) is distinguished by an identifier indicating each. In the following description of each embodiment, for example, a handoff packet transferred between APs
_H , the wireless connection packet transferred from the STA to the AP
_C , a handoff instruction packet transferred from the AP to the STA is represented by C _R or the like.

FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the wireless base station AP in receiving a packet in the learning type wireless packet transfer method of the first embodiment. The AP receives either the packet A or the packet B shown in FIG. 4 and transmits either the packet B or the packet C. When the AP receives a wireless packet (S1), it determines whether or not its receiving station address matches its own MAC address (S2), and discards the received packet if it is not addressed to its own station (S3). For the one addressed to the own station, the type of the received packet (packet A or packet B) is identified (S4). In the case of packet B, the transmission source address (transmission source STA) and the transmission station address (transfer source AP) are registered in the address table in association with each other (S5). When referencing the address table to find the AP to relay, the destination STA and the transfer destination AP
Is replaced by the corresponding relationship.

Next, it is determined whether or not the source STA indicated by the source address of the packet B is registered in the belonging table (S6). If the source STA is registered, the STA moves to another AP. Then, it is considered that the packet is transmitted from there, and is deleted from the belonging table (S7).

When the received packet is the packet A or when the above processing is completed with the packet B, it is determined whether or not the destination STA indicated by the destination address is registered in the belonging table (S8). If the destination STA has been registered, the packet C is transmitted to the destination STA (S
9).

If the destination STA is not registered in the belonging table, the destination STA is searched for an AP to be relayed next.
Is registered in the address table (S10). If it has been registered, it transmits a packet B having the transfer destination AP corresponding to the destination STA as the receiving station address based on the address table (S11). If the destination STA is not registered in the address table, it is determined whether or not there is an AP that can be relayed by referring to the relay AP table other than the transfer source AP of the packet (S12). If it is, the packet B is transmitted to all the APs (S13). If there is no relayable AP, the received packet is discarded (S14).

FIG. 6 shows an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5. Here, STA1 and STA
5 is not registered in the address table of each AP. Also,
The belonging table of each AP and the relay AP table are shown in FIG.
(a) and (b). Hereinafter, a specific description will be given while corresponding to the flowchart of FIG.

First, STA1 sends packet A-1 to AP1.
Send The address field of this packet A-1 is AP1 / STA5 / STA1 //.

AP1 which has received the packet A-1,
Since the STA5 indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table and the address table, the packet B-1 is transmitted to the relayable AP2, AP3, and AP4 with reference to the relay AP table (S1, S2, S4, S8). , S1
0, S12, S13). The address field of the packet B-1 is AP2 / AP1 / STA5 / STA1 / AP3 / AP1 / STA5 / STA1 / AP4 / AP1 / STA5 / STA1 /.

AP3, A receiving this packet B-1
P4 associates the transmission source STA1 indicated by the transmission source address with the transfer source AP1 indicated by the transmission station address and registers them in the address table (S5). Next, STA5 indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table and the address table, and A5 that can be relayed to other than AP1.
Since P does not exist, the received packet B-1 is discarded (S6, S8, S10, S12, S14).

Similarly, AP2 receiving packet B-1
Registers the transmission source STA1 and the transfer source AP1 in the address table in association with each other (S5). Next, since the STA5 indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table and the address table, an AP that can be relayed besides the AP1
5 (S6, S8, S10, S)
12, S13). The address field of this packet B-2 is AP5 / AP2 / STA5 / STA1 /.

AP5 receiving this packet B-2,
The transmission source STA1 is associated with the transfer source AP2 and registered in the address table (S5). Next, since STA5 indicated by the destination address has been registered in the belonging table,
Transmit packet C-1 to STA5 (S6, 8,
9). The address field of the packet C-1 is STA5 / STA1 ///. FIG. 7 shows the state of the address table of each AP after packet transfer from STA1 to STA5 described above.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA5 to STA1. The address table of each AP is as shown in FIG. The address field of the packet A-2 transmitted by the STA5 is AP5 / STA1 / STA5 //.

AP5 receiving this packet A-2,
STA1 indicated by the destination address has not been registered in the belonging table, but has been registered in the address table (see FIG. 7).
Therefore, the packet B-3 is transmitted to the transfer destination AP2 corresponding to the destination STA1 (S1, S2, S4, S8, S
10, S11). The address field of the packet B-3 is AP2 / AP5 / STA1 / STA5 /.

AP2 which has received the packet B-3,
The transmission source STA5 and the transfer source AP5 are registered in the address table in association with each other (S5). Next, STA1 indicated by the destination address has not been registered in the belonging table, but has been registered in the address table.
Transmit packet B-4 to P1 (S6, S8, S10,
S11). The address field of this packet B-4 is AP1 / AP2 / STA1 / STA5 /.

AP1 receiving this packet B-4,
The transmission source STA5 is associated with the transfer source AP2 and registered in the address table (S5). Next, since STA1 indicated by the destination address has been registered in the belonging table,
Transmit packet C-2 to STA1 (S6, 8,
9). The address field of this packet C-2 is STA1 / STA5 ///. FIG. 9 shows the state of the address table of each AP after the packet transfer from STA5 to STA1 described above. The hatched portions are from STA5 to STA1.
Are registered in the process of transferring the packet to.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which wireless packets are transferred from STA1 to STA5 again. The address table of each AP is as shown in FIG. The address field of the packet A-3 transmitted by the STA1 is AP1 / STA5 / STA1 //.

AP1 receiving this packet A-3,
STA5 indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table, but is registered in the address table (see FIG. 9).
Therefore, the packet B-5 is transmitted to the corresponding AP2 (S1, S2, S4, S8, S10, S11). The address field of this packet B-5 is AP2 / AP1 / STA5 / STA1 /.

AP2 receiving this packet B-5,
The address table is updated by associating the source STA1 with the source AP1 (S5). Next, since the STA 5 indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table but has been registered in the address table, the packet B-6 is transmitted to the corresponding AP 5 (S6, S8, S10, S1).
1). The address field of this packet B-6 is AP5 / AP2 / STA5 / STA1 /.

AP5 receiving this packet B-6,
The address table is updated by associating the source STA1 with the source AP2 (S5). Next, since STA5 indicated by the destination address has been registered in the belonging table,
Transmit packet C-3 to STA5 (S6, 8,
9). The address field of this packet C-3 is STA5 / STA1 ///. The state of the address table of each AP after packet transfer from STA1 to STA5 is the same as that in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows an operation flow of the wireless base station AP when receiving a packet in the learning type wireless packet transfer method of the second aspect. The operation flow shown in FIG.
Is inserted between S4 and S6 shown in FIG. The feature of this operation flow is that after registering the transmission source address (transmission source STA) and transmission station address (transfer source AP) in the address table (S5), the registration suspension timer is started (S22). . The registration pending timer is
It corresponds to the registered STA on a one-to-one basis, and measures a continuous non-reception time of a packet having the registered STA as a source address.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the address table of each AP has already been registered in the state shown in FIG. 9, the AP that has received the packet B first receives the source STA indicated by the source address. It is determined whether or not it is registered in the address table (S21). If the registration has been completed, the registration suspension timer is reset (S23), and the address table is updated by associating the transmission source address (transmission source STA) with the transmission station address (transfer source AP) (S24). Restart the registration suspension timer (S2
Five). When the transmission source STA is not registered in the address table, the registration processing is performed in the same manner as the operation flow of FIG.
5) Start the registration suspension timer (S22).

When a packet with the registered STA as the transmission source address has not been received for a certain period of time and the registration suspension timer has timed out (S26), the packet is correlated from the address table as shown in FIG. 11 (b). Source address (source STA) and source station address (source A
P) is deleted (S27). As a result, the state of the address table can always be kept up to date.

(Embodiment in which STA changes belonging AP)
FIG. 12 shows a wireless packet network to which the learning wireless packet transfer method of claim 3 is applied and an address table of each AP. In the figure, the tree structure between each AP is shown in FIG.
This is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and the belonging table and relay AP table of each AP are the same as those shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

However, in the following embodiment, each AP is also S
Similar to the TA, the packet itself is generated and transmitted and received, and the correspondence between APs is also registered in the address table (claim 7). That is, each AP sets its own MAC address as the source address and the destination A as the destination address.
The MAC address of P is set and transmitted, and a packet whose destination address matches its own MAC address among the received packets is captured. Then, according to the above-described registration procedure, the source address (source AP) and the source station address (source A)
P) and associates the destination AP with the destination AP and registers it in the address table. For example, AP3 (AP4)
, AP1 and AP2 are relayed to each other to transfer a wireless packet to AP5, so that AP4 associates AP4 with AP1 and AP3 and AP1 with each other.
P3 and AP2, AP4 and AP2, and AP1 and AP2 are associated with each other and registered in the address table. FIG. 12B shows the final state of the address table.

FIG. 13 shows an operation flow of the wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning type wireless packet transfer method of claim 3 (at the time of handoff). When the STA moves to the neighboring cell (S30), the STA moves to the destination AP.
, And the destination AP registers the STA to which it newly belongs in the affiliation table, and deletes information about the STA from the address table (S31). Then, the STA sends a hand-off packet to the destination AP with the source AP belonging to it as the destination and the local station as the source (FIG. 4).
Is transmitted (S32).

Further, each AP on the communication path from the destination AP to the source AP sequentially transfers the handoff packet, and registers or updates the source address and the transmitting station address in the address table in association with each other (S33). . Finally, the source AP where the handoff packet arrives registers the source address of the handoff packet and the transmitting station address in the address table in association with each other, deletes the source STA from the belonging table, and releases the belonging (S34).

FIG. 14 shows a process performed when the STA 5 moves from under AP5 to under AP4 in the wireless packet network of FIG. Note that the assignment table and the relay AP table of each AP are in the state of FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the address table is in the state of FIG. 12B. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given while corresponding to the flowchart of FIG.

When STA5 belongs to AP4 after moving,
AP4 deletes the relationship between STA5 and AP1 registered in the address table, and further registers STA5 in the belonging table.
Is registered (S31). Then, the destination sends a Handoff Packet A _H -1 of the moving source AP5 the AP 4 (S3
2). Note that A _H indicates that the data portion is a handoff packet in the format of the packet A. The address field of the handoff packet A _H -1 is AP4 / AP5 / STA5 //.

AP4, which has received the handoff packet A _H -1, determines the destination AP5 based on the address table.
Handoff packet B _H -1 to transfer destination AP 1 corresponding to
Is transmitted (S33). This handoff packet B _H -1
The address field of is AP1 / AP4 / AP5 / STA5 /.

The AP 1 that has received the handoff packet B _H -1 updates the address table by associating the source STA 5 with the source AP 4 (S33). Next, AP
The handoff packet B _H -2 is transmitted to the transfer destination AP 2 corresponding to the destination AP 5 based on the address table of No. 1. The address field of the handoff packet B _H -2 is AP2 / AP1 / AP5 / STA5 /.

AP2 that has received the handoff packet B _H -2 updates the address table by associating the source STA5 with the source AP1. Next, since the AP 5 indicated by the destination address has not been registered in the address table, a handoff packet B _H -3 is transmitted to the AP 5 based on the relay AP table (FIG. 3B). The address field of the handoff packet B _H- 3 is AP5 / AP2 / AP5 / STA5 /.

The AP 5 having received the handoff packet B _H -3 associates the transmission source STA 5 with the transfer source AP 2 and registers it in the address table, and deletes the STA 5 from the belonging table (S34). FIGS. 15A and 15B show the states of the address table and the belonging table after the transfer of the handoff packet from the STA 5 to the AP 5 described above. The hatched portions are those registered, updated, or deleted during the packet transfer process from the STA 5 to the AP 5.

FIG. 16 shows an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5. The address table and the belonging table of each AP are as shown in FIG. This transfer operation is based on the flowchart of FIG. The address field of the packet A-4 transmitted by the STA1 is AP1 / STA5 / STA1 //.

AP1 receiving this packet A-4,
Although the STA 5 indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table, but is registered in the address table (see FIG. 15), the packet B-7 is transmitted to the corresponding AP 4. The address field of this packet B-7 is AP4 / AP1 / STA5 / STA1 /.

AP4 receiving this packet B-7,
The address table is updated by associating the source STA1 with the source AP1. Next, based on the membership table, S
Transmit packet C-4 to TA5. This packet C-
The address field of No. 4 is STA5 / STA1 ///. The state of the address table of each AP after packet transfer from STA5 to STA1 is the same as in FIG.

(Embodiment in which STA switches between wireless connection and wired connection) FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless packet network to which the learning wireless packet transfer method of claim 4 is applied.

In the figure, the tree structure between each AP is the same as that of the above-mentioned wireless packet network, and the relay AP table of each AP is as shown in FIG. Here, STA1 is A
Belonging to P1, STA5 represents an example belonging to AP4,
FIG. 15 shows the address table and belonging table of each AP.
become that way.

AP1 is a wired-compatible AP having a wired interface for connecting to a wired LAN, and AP2 to AP2.
AP5 is a normal AP, and STA5 is a wired STA having a wired interface for connecting to a wired LAN.
TA1 is a normal STA. The AP1 and the interface # 2 of the learning bridge of the wired LAN are connected.
Note that the AP 1 also has a learning bridge function for transferring packets between the wired interface and the wireless interface.

FIG. 18 shows the learning bridge and the AP.
1 shows a learning table. In each learning table, all STAs and all APs
Shall be registered. That is, in the learning table of the learning bridge, all STAs and all APs are associated with interface # 2. In the learning table of AP1, all STAs and APs 2 to 5 are associated with wireless interfaces.

FIG. 19 shows an operation flow of the wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning type wireless packet transfer method of the fourth aspect. (a) shows the case where the wired STA has switched the connection from the wireless connection to the wired connection. (b) shows a case where the wired STA has switched the connection from the wired connection to the wireless connection.

In FIG. 19A, when the wired STA switches from a wireless connection to an AP (source AP) to which the wired STA currently belongs to a wired connection (S40), the wired STA is connected to the wired packet network. On the other hand, a handoff packet having the source AP as a destination and the own station as a source is transmitted (S41).
The wired packet network transfers the received handoff packet to the wired AP via the learning bridge (S4).
2). When the wired AP receives the handoff packet, it transfers the handoff packet to a lower-order AP according to a tree-like communication path. Each AP on the communication path from the wired AP to the source AP is
The handoff packets are sequentially transferred, and the transmission source address and the transmission station address are registered or updated in the address table in association with each other (S43). Finally, the source AP where the handoff packet arrives registers the source address of the handoff packet and the transmitting station address in the address table in association with each other, and deletes the source STA from the belonging table (S44).

In FIG. 19 (b), when the wired STA changes the connection from the wired connection to the wireless connection with the AP (destination AP) (S45), the wired STA sends the local AP to the destination AP. Is transmitted as a transmission source (S46). Upon receiving the wireless connection packet, the destination AP transfers the wireless connection packet to a higher-level AP according to a tree-shaped communication path. Each A on the communication path from the destination AP to the wired AP
P sequentially transfers the wireless connection packet, and registers or updates the source address and the transmitting station address in the address table in association with each other (S47). The wired-compatible AP broadcasts the wireless connection packet from the wired interface to the wired packet network (S48).

FIG. 20 shows a process when the STA 5 switches to a wired connection in the wireless packet network of FIG. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STA5 is the source AP to which the user belongs.
When it is connected to the wired LAN away from the LAN 4 (S40), the destination transmits the handoff packet _DH- 1 of AP4 to the wired LAN (S41). _DH indicates a handoff packet among the packets of the wired LAN.

The learning bridge that has received the handoff packet D _H -1 receives the hand off packet D _H − from the interface # 2 based on the learning table of FIG.
2 is transmitted (S42), and the learning table is updated by associating the STA 5 with the interface # 1. When receiving the handoff packet D _H -2, the AP 1 updates the learning table by associating the STA 5 with the wired interface, and deletes the STA 5 from the address table of FIG.
Further, AP1 converts the handoff packet _DH- 2 into a handoff packet _BH- 4 in a wireless packet format, and transmits it to the destination AP4 (S43). The address field of the handoff packet B _H -4 is AP4 / AP1 / AP4 / STA5 /.

The source AP 4 receiving the handoff packet B _H -4 sends the source S 4
TA5 and the transfer source AP1 indicated by the transmitting station address are registered in the address table in association with each other, and STA5 is deleted from the belonging table (S44).

FIG. 21 shows the state of each learning table after the handoff packet transfer from the STA 5 to the AP 4 described above, and FIGS. 22 (a) and 22 (b) show the state of the address table and belonging table of each AP. The hatched portions are those registered, updated, or deleted during the handoff packet transfer process from the STA 5 to the AP 4.

FIG. 23 shows an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5. The learning table of the learning bridge and AP1 is in the state of FIG. 21, and the address table and the belonging table of each AP are in the state of FIG. The address field of the packet A-5 transmitted by the STA1 is AP1 / STA5 / STA1 //.

AP1 receiving this packet A-5,
A packet addressed to the STA 5 is converted into a wired LAN packet format based on the learning table, and transmitted to the wired LAN. The learning bridge that has received the packet D-1 transmits a packet D-2 addressed to the STA 5 from the interface # 1 based on the learning table. STA
5 receives the packet D-2 from the wired LAN.

FIG. 24 shows that STA5 is connected to AP3 from a wired connection.
This shows the processing when moving to a subordinate. Each learning table is in the state shown in FIG. 21, and the address table and the belonging table of each AP are in the states shown in FIGS. 22 (a) and 22 (b). Less than,
This will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

After moving, the STA 5 belongs to the AP 3 and transmits a wireless connection packet A _C -1 to the AP 3 (S46). Note that A _C indicates that the data portion is a wireless connection packet in the format of the packet A.

The AP 3 having received the wireless connection packet A _C -1 deletes the relationship between the STA 5 and the AP 1 registered in the address table because the STA 5 has been subordinated, and further registers the STA 5 in the belonging table. Then transmits a wireless connection packet B _C -1 to the transfer destination AP1 (S47). The AP 1 having received the wireless connection packet B _C -1 converts the wireless connection packet into a wired LAN packet format based on the learning table.
N and broadcasts it to update the address table on the wired LAN (S48).

FIG. 25 shows the state of each learning table after the wireless connection packet is transferred from the STA 5 to the learning bridge, and FIGS. 26 (a) and 26 (b) show the state of the address table and the belonging table of each AP. Show. The hatched portions are those registered, updated, or deleted during the wireless connection packet transfer process from the STA 5 to the learning bridge.

FIG. 27 shows an example of transferring a wireless packet from STA1 to STA5. The learning table of the learning bridge and AP1 is in the state of FIG. 25, and the address table and the belonging table of each AP are in the state of FIG. The address field of the packet A-6 transmitted by the STA1 is AP1 / STA5 / STA1 //.

AP1 having received this packet A-6,
Although STA5 indicated by the destination address has not been registered in the belonging table, but has been registered in the address table,
The packet B-8 is transmitted to the corresponding AP3. The address field of this packet B-8 is AP3 / AP1 / STA5 / STA1 /.

AP3 receiving this packet B-8,
The address table is updated by associating the source STA1 with the source AP1. Next, S indicated by the destination address
Since TA5 has been registered in the membership table, STA5
To the packet C-5. The address field of the packet C-5 is STA5 / STA1 ///. The state of the address table of each AP after packet transfer from STA5 to STA1 is the same as that in FIG.

(Embodiment in which AP performs communication path switching)
FIG. 28 shows a wireless packet network to which the learning wireless packet transfer method according to claims 5 and 6 is applied and an address table of each AP.

In the figure, the tree structure between the APs is such that AP6 is connected to AP5 of the wireless packet network of FIG.
STA6 belongs to P6. It is assumed that all STAs and all APs are registered in the address table of each AP as shown in FIG. Similarly, the belonging table of each AP and the relay AP table are as shown in FIGS. 29 (a) and (b).

Here, it is assumed that a shield or the like appears between AP2 and AP5 and the communication path therebetween is cut off. At this time, AP5 switches the communication path with the higher-level AP from AP2 to AP4. FIG. 30 shows a tree structure between APs before and after the switching.

FIG. 31 shows an operation flow of the wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 5 (at the time of communication channel switching). FIG. 32 shows a process when AP5 switches the communication path from AP2 to AP4. The address table of each AP is shown in FIG. 28 (b), and the belonging table of each AP and the relay AP table are shown in FIG.
(a) and (b). Hereinafter, a specific description will be given while corresponding to the flowchart of FIG.

When the AP 5 switches the communication path with the switching source AP 2 to the switching destination AP 4 and belongs to the switching destination AP 4 (S5
0), the upper AP 2 registered in the relay AP table of the AP 5 shown in FIG.
The lower AP 5 is registered in the relay AP table (see FIG. 33). Further, the AP2 relation registered in the address table of AP5 shown in FIG. 28B is deleted (S51).

Next, the AP 5 selects all the STAs registered in the address table from among the STAs registered in the address table and all the STAs associated with the APs other than the switching source AP 2.
A, All lower APs registered in the relay AP table are extracted (S52). Here, STA6 and AP6 are extracted. AP5, to the extracted STA6 and AP 6, sequentially sends a handoff instruction packet B _R -1, 2 to instruct to transmit a handoff packet to the switching source AP2 (S53). B _R indicates that the data portion is a handoff instruction packet in the format of the packet B shown in FIG.

Handoff instruction packet B addressed to STA 6
_RAP6 receiving -1 further handles the handover to STA6.
Dooff instruction packet C_R-1 is transmitted (S53). What
Contact, C _RIs in the format of the packet C shown in FIG.
This indicates that the data section is a handoff instruction packet.

The STA 6 having received the handoff instruction packet C _R -1 transmits the hand off packet A _H -2 having the switching source AP 2 as a destination and the local station as a transmission source (S 6).
54). AP that has received this handoff packet A _H -2
No. 6 transfers the handoff packet to the destination switching source AP2 similarly to the handoff packet transfer process shown in FIG.

That is, the AP 6 stores in the address table
Handoff packet to the transfer destination AP5 of the destination AP2 based on the
To B_H-5 is transmitted (S55). This handoff packet
To B _HThe address field of -5 is AP5 / AP6 / AP2 / STA6 /.

The AP 5 that has received the handoff packet B _H- 5 updates the address table by associating the source STA 6 with the source AP 6 (S 55). Next, since AP2 indicated by the destination address has not been registered in the address table (the AP2 relation has already been deleted), the handoff packet _BH- 6 is transmitted to the upper-level AP2 based on the relay AP table in FIG. This handoff packet B _H
The address field of -6 is AP4 / AP5 / AP2 / STA6 /.

The AP 4 having received the handoff packet B _H- 6 updates the address table by associating the source STA 6 with the source AP 5. Next, the handoff packet _BH- 7 is transmitted to the transfer destination AP1 of the destination AP2 based on the address table. The address field of the handoff packet B _H- 7 is AP1 / AP4 / AP2 / STA6 /.

The AP 1 having received the handoff packet B _H- 7 updates the address table by associating the source STA 6 with the source AP 4. Next, based on the relay AP table, the handoff packet B _{H is} sent to the lower-level AP 2.
Send -8. The address field of the handoff packet B _H- 8 is AP2 / AP1 / AP2 / STA6 /. A receiving this handoff packet B _H- 8
P2 updates the address table by associating the transmission source STA6 with the transfer source AP1 (S56).

Similarly, handoff instruction packet B _R -2
The AP6 and the AP5 which have received the packet respectively transmit the handoff packet with the switching source AP2 as the destination and the local station as the transmission source (S54). The handoff packet is transferred to the B _H -5~B _H -8 similarly to AP2 shown in FIG. 32, in association with the transmission source AP 6, AP5 each destination AP updates each AP in the address table (S55 , S5
6).

[0093] Also, AP2 has a source A via AP1.
By receiving the handoff packet of P5, the AP
5 is considered to have moved to another AP, and AP5 is deleted from the relay AP table (S56).

FIGS. 33 and 34 show the states of the relay AP table and the address table of each AP after each handoff packet transfer described above. The hatched area is
It is registered, updated, or deleted in each handoff packet transfer process. The portions indicated in parentheses are registered in the subsequent wireless packet transfer process.

FIG. 35 shows an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5. The relay AP table and address table of each AP are as shown in FIGS.
The address field of the packet A-7 transmitted by the STA1 is AP1 / STA6 / STA1 //.

AP1 receiving this packet A-7,
Packet B to transfer destination AP4 based on address table
Send -9. The address field of this packet B-9 is AP4 / AP1 / STA6 / STA1 /.

AP4 receiving this packet B-9,
The address table is updated by associating the source STA1 with the source AP1, and the packet B-10 is transmitted to the destination AP5 based on the address table. This packet B-
The ten address fields are AP5 / AP4 / STA6 / STA1 /.

AP5 receiving this packet B-10,
The address table is updated by associating the transmission source STA1 with the transfer source AP4, and the packet C-6 is transmitted to the STA6 based on the belonging table. The address field of this packet C-6 is STA6 / STA1 ///. The state of the address table of each AP after the packet transfer from STA1 to STA6 described above is the same as in FIG. At this time, STA1 and AP4 shown in parentheses are registered in the address table of AP5.

FIG. 36 shows an operation flow of the wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 6 (at the time of communication channel switching). FIG. 37 shows a process when AP5 switches the communication path from AP2 to AP4. The address table of each AP is shown in FIG. 28 (b), and the belonging table and relay AP table of each AP are shown in FIG.
(a) and (b). Hereinafter, a specific description will be given while corresponding to the flowchart of FIG.

When the AP 5 switches the communication path with the switching source AP 2 to the switching destination AP 4 and belongs to the switching destination AP 4 (S6)
0), the upper AP 2 registered in the relay AP table of the AP 5 shown in FIG.
The lower AP 5 is registered in the relay AP table (see FIG. 33). Further, the AP2 relation registered in the address table of AP5 shown in FIG. 28B is deleted (S61).

Next, the AP 5 selects, from among the STAs registered in the address table, all the STAs associated with the APs other than the switching source AP 2, and all the STs registered in the belonging table.
A, all lower APs registered in the relay AP table are extracted (S62). Here, STA6 and AP6 are extracted. The AP 5 has the switching source AP 2 as a destination and substitutes the STA 6 or the AP 6 on behalf of the extracted STA 6 and the AP 6.
The handoff packets _BH- 9 having the transmission source No. 6 as the transmission source are sequentially transmitted (S63). The address field of the handoff packet _BH- 9 is AP4 / AP5 / AP2 / STA6 / AP4 / AP5 / AP2 / AP6 /.

This handoff packet B_HReceiving -9
AP4, the transmission source STA6, AP6 and the transmission source AP5
And the address table is updated (S64). Next
And the transfer destination A of the destination AP2 based on the address table.
Handoff packet B to P1 _HSend -10. This c
Handoff packet B_HThe address field of -10 is AP1 / AP4 / AP2 / STA6 / AP1 / AP4 / AP2 / AP6 /.

AP1 that has received the handoff packet _BH- 10 updates the address table by associating the transmission source STA6 and AP6 with the transmission source AP4 (S64). Next, the handoff packet B _H- 11 is transmitted to the lower-level AP 2 based on the relay AP table. The address field of the handoff packet B _H- 11 is AP2 / AP1 / AP2 / STA6 / AP2 / AP1 / AP2 / AP6 /. A which has received this handoff packet B _H- 11
P2 updates the address table by associating the source STA6 and AP6 with the source AP1 (S65).

Similarly, the AP 5 transmits a handoff packet with the switching source AP 2 as the destination and the local station as the transmission source (S 63). This handoff packet is the _BH shown in FIG.
-9 to _{B H} -11 and transferred to AP2,
The address table of each AP is updated by associating P5 with each transfer destination AP (S64, S65).

[0105] In addition, AP2 has a source A via AP1.
By receiving the handoff packet of P5, the AP
5 is considered to have moved to another AP, and AP5 is deleted from the relay AP table (S65).

The states of the relay AP table and the address table of each AP after each handoff packet transfer described above are the same as those shown in FIGS. STA1
The transfer of the wireless packet from the STA5 to the STA5 is performed in the same manner as in FIG.

(Example of Configuration of Wireless Base Station AP) FIG. 38 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless base station AP according to claims 8 and 13.
In the figure, a wireless base station AP is a wireless interface 1
1, received packet determination unit 12, control unit 13, belonging table 14, address table 15, relay AP table 1
6. The transmission packet generation unit 17 performs processing based on the learning-type wireless packet transfer method of claims 1, 3, 5, and 6.

The radio interface 11 transmits packets A,
While receiving B and taking in the packet addressed to the own station,
A process of transmitting packets B and C is performed (S1 to S in FIG. 5).
3, S9, S11, S13). The received packet determination unit 12
It is determined whether the received packet addressed to the own station is packet A transmitted from the STA, packet B transmitted from another AP, a handoff packet accompanying the movement of the STA, a handoff instruction packet and a handoff packet accompanying a change in AP belonging. Then, the corresponding processes are performed by the control unit 13 (S4 in FIG. 5).

The control unit 13 sends the belonging table 14, the address table 15, and the relay A according to the type of the received packet.
Referring to the P table 16, the registration of each table is updated as necessary, and the transfer destination is determined (S5 to S10 in FIG. 5).
12, 14, S32 to S34 in FIG. 13, FIGS. 13, 19, 31,
(Figure 36). The transmission packet generation unit 17 generates a packet B or a packet C according to the transfer destination and sends it to the wireless interface 11 (S9, S11, S13 in FIG. 5).

FIG. 39 shows a configuration example of the wireless base station AP according to claim 9. In the figure, a wireless base station AP includes a wireless interface 11, a received packet determination unit 12, a control unit 1
3, belonging table 14, address table 15, relay A
It comprises a P table 16, a transmission packet generator 17, and a registration suspension timer 18, and performs processing based on the learning wireless packet transfer method of claim 2.

The feature of the present AP is that a registration suspension timer 18 is connected to the control unit 13 to measure the continuous non-reception time of a packet having the STA registered in the address table as the transmission source address. The STA related information is to be deleted (FIG. 11). Other configurations are the same as those of the AP in FIG.

FIG. 40 shows an example of the configuration of the wired wireless base station AP according to the eleventh aspect. In the figure, the wired wireless base station AP includes a wireless interface 11, a received packet determination unit 21, a control unit 22, an assignment table 14, an address table 15, a relay AP table 16, a learning table 23,
The transmission packet generation unit 24 includes a wired interface 25, and performs processing based on the learning wireless packet transfer method according to claim 4.

[0113] The received packet judging unit 21 determines that
When A switches from a wireless connection to a wired connection and from a wired connection to a wireless connection, a handoff packet or a wireless connection packet received by the wireless interface 11 or the wired interface 25 is detected, and the control unit 22 performs a corresponding process. . The control unit 22 refers to the affiliation table 14, the address table 15, the relay AP table 16, and the learning table 23 according to the handoff packet or the wireless connection packet, updates the registration of each table as necessary, and determines the transfer destination. Determine (FIG. 19). The transmission packet generator 24 generates a handoff packet or a wireless connection packet according to the transfer destination, and sends the packet to the wireless interface 11 or the wired interface 25. The wireless interface 11 or the wired interface 25 generates and transmits a transmission packet according to each packet format to a wireless line or a wired LAN, respectively. Note that the same processing as that of the AP shown in FIG. 38 is performed for transmission and reception of normal wireless packets.

[0114]

As described above, the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claims 1 and 8, and the wireless base station using the method select the wireless base station associated with the address table as the transfer destination. The packet can be transferred to the destination wireless terminal. Therefore, useless packet transfer can be prevented as compared with the method of transferring to all communicable wireless base stations, thereby suppressing an increase in the device size and power consumption of the wireless base station and effectively using radio frequency resources. Utilization can be used to prevent a decrease in throughput.

Even when the interface of the wireless base station is one, the wireless terminal and the wireless base station are logically associated with each other by the MAC address, so that the transfer destination wireless base station can be selected and transferred. Device size and power consumption can be minimized.

Further, the packet can be transferred to the destination wireless terminal by selecting the transfer destination wireless base station without using the broadcast transmission of the search frame or the all-routes search frame, so that the throughput can be improved.

According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, the address table is managed by managing the continuous non-reception time of a packet having the wireless terminal registered in the address table as a source address and deleting the registration due to time-out. It can always be kept up to date and used efficiently.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, when the radio terminal moves to a cell of another radio base station, the address table and the assignment table of the radio base station on the relay path are updated by transferring the handoff packet. Thus, it is possible to prevent erroneous transfer of a packet due to a status change.

According to the fourth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, when a wired wireless terminal switches from a wireless connection to a wired connection, or switches from a wired connection to a wireless connection, a relay of the handoff packet or the wireless connection packet is performed. The address table and the belonging table of the wireless base station on the route can be updated, and erroneous transfer of a packet due to a status change can be prevented.

According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, when the radio base station switches the communication path with the higher-level radio base station, the handoff instruction packet causes the subordinate radio terminals and the radio base station to transmit the handoff packet. Thereby, the address table of the wireless base station on the relay route can be updated, and erroneous transfer of a packet due to a status change can be prevented.

According to the sixth and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, when a radio base station switches a communication path with a higher-level radio base station, a handoff is performed with each of the radio terminals and the radio base station under the control of the radio base station as a proxy. By transmitting the packet, the address table of the wireless base station on the relay route can be updated, and erroneous transfer of the packet due to a change in the situation can be prevented.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the destination wireless base station and the transfer destination wireless base station can be associated with each other in the address table, so that the transfer of a handoff packet or the like destined for the wireless base station is as efficient as the data packet. Can be done

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless packet network to which a learning wireless packet transfer method according to claims 1 and 2 is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a tree structure between APs in the wireless packet network of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a belonging table and a relay AP table in the wireless packet network of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a packet format used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation flow when the wireless base station AP receives a packet in the learning wireless packet transfer method of claim 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an address table after the wireless packet transfer shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from the return STA5 to the STA1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an address table after the wireless packet transfer shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of transferring a wireless packet from STA1 to STA5 again.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation flow when a wireless base station AP receives a packet in the learning wireless packet transfer method according to claim 2;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a wireless packet network to which the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 3 is applied and an address table of each AP.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning wireless packet transfer method of claim 3 (at the time of handoff).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing processing when STA5 moves from under AP5 to under AP4.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an address table and a belonging table after the handoff packet transfer shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless packet network to which the learning wireless packet transfer method according to claim 4 is applied.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a learning table of a learning bridge and AP1.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning wireless packet transfer method of claim 4;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing processing when the STA5 switches to a wired connection.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a learning table after the transfer of the handoff packet shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an address table and a belonging table after the handoff packet transfer illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing processing when the STA5 moves from the wired connection to the position under the AP3.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a learning table after the transfer of the wireless connection packet shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an address table and a belonging table after the wireless connection packet transfer shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA5.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a wireless packet network to which the learning wireless packet transfer method according to claims 5 and 6 is applied and an address table of each AP.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a belonging table and a relay AP table in the wireless packet network of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a tree structure between APs before and after switching.

FIG. 31 shows a wireless terminal STA and a wireless base station AP in the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 5 (during communication channel switching).
The figure which shows the operation | movement flow of FIG.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing processing when AP5 switches a communication path from AP2 to AP4.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a relay AP table after the handoff packet transfer shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an address table after the transfer of the handoff packet shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example in which a wireless packet is transferred from STA1 to STA6.

36. The wireless terminal STA and the wireless base station AP in the learning wireless packet transfer method according to claim 6 (during communication channel switching).
The figure which shows the operation | movement flow of FIG.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing processing when AP5 switches a communication path from AP2 to AP4.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless base station AP according to claims 8 and 10 to 13;

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless base station AP according to claim 9;

FIG. 40 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wired wireless base station AP according to claim 11;

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of a network using a learning bridge.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a network using a source routing bridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 AP wireless base station STA wireless terminal 11 wireless interface 12, 21 received packet discriminating unit 13, 22 control unit 14 belonging table 15 address table 16 relay AP table 17, 24 transmitted packet generating unit 18 registration suspension timer 23 learning table 25 wired interface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Morikura 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (56) References JP-A-4-341031 (JP, A) JP-A-8-32504 (JP, A) JP-A-10-145369 (JP, A) Radi Pearlman "Interconnections: Bridges and Routers" (May 31, 1995) 54-59 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04L 12/28 H04B 7/26 H04L 12/56

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A wireless packet communication system including a plurality of wireless base stations and one or more wireless terminals, wherein one of the plurality of wireless base stations is a specific wireless base station (root station). A packet B transmitted / received between the wireless base stations via the tree-shaped communication path includes a MA of the source wireless terminal in a header portion.
Source address including C address, MA of destination wireless terminal
A destination address including the C address, a transmitting station address including the MAC address of the source wireless base station transmitting the packet, and a MA of the destination wireless base station receiving the packet.
A plurality of wireless base stations, each of which has a receiving station address including a C address, wherein the plurality of wireless base stations each include a wireless terminal station capable of relaying based on the tree-shaped communication path; A relay wireless base station table to be registered; and an address table for registering a destination wireless terminal (destination address) and a transfer destination wireless base station (reception station address) in association with each other. When receiving the destination wireless terminal, the source wireless terminal indicated by the source address is associated with the source wireless base station indicated by the source station address, and the destination wireless terminal (destination address) and the destination wireless base station (receiver address) ), The destination wireless terminal indicated by the destination address is registered in the belonging table, and the packet is transmitted to the destination wireless terminal. Transmitting, if the destination wireless terminal indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table and is registered in the address table, the packet B is transmitted to the transfer destination wireless base station corresponding to the destination wireless terminal; The destination wireless terminal indicated by the destination address is not registered in the affiliation table and the address table, and a wireless base station capable of relaying other than the transfer source wireless base station that transmitted the packet B is included in the relay wireless base station table. If registered, the packet B is sent to all the relayable radio base stations.
The destination wireless terminal indicated by the destination address is not registered in the belonging table and the address table, and the wireless base station capable of relaying other than the transfer source wireless base station that transmitted the packet B is the relay wireless terminal. The learning-type wireless packet transfer method, wherein the packet B is discarded if the packet B is not registered in the base station table. 2. The learning-type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, wherein each wireless base station, when receiving a packet B, indicates a source wireless terminal indicated by a source address and a source station address. When registering in the address table in association with the transfer source wireless base station, a registration hold timer corresponding to the source wireless terminal is started, and the source wireless terminal indicated by the source address is already registered in the address table. If so, reset the registration suspension timer and update the address table in association with the source wireless terminal indicated by the source address and the source wireless base station indicated by the source station address,
The corresponding registration suspension timer is started again, and when the registration suspension timer has timed out, the data of the corresponding source wireless terminal (destination wireless terminal) and the source wireless base station (destination wireless base station) are transmitted to the address. A learning type wireless packet transfer method characterized by deleting from a table. 3. The learning-type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless terminal moves from a wireless base station (source wireless base station) to which the wireless terminal currently belongs to another wireless base station (destination wireless base station). ), A handoff packet with the source radio base station as the destination and the own station as the transmission source is transmitted to the target radio base station, and the source radio base station transmits the handoff packet from the source radio base station. Each radio base station on the communication path leading to the radio base station sequentially transfers the handoff packet, registers or updates the source address and the transmission station address in an address table in association with each other, and further includes the source radio base station. A learning-type wireless packet transfer method, wherein the transmission source wireless terminal is deleted from a membership table. 4. The learning wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of wireless base stations and one or more wireless terminals constituting the wireless packet communication system are connected to a wired packet network. A wired wireless base station having a wired interface and a wired wireless terminal, wherein the wired wireless base station is connected to the wired packet network, and a starting point of a tree-shaped communication path connected to another wireless base station; A specific wireless base station, wherein the wired wireless terminal is switched from a wireless connection with a wireless base station (source wireless base station) to which the wired wireless terminal currently belongs to a wired connection; Transmits a handoff packet with the source wireless base station as a destination and the own station as a transmission source to the wired packet network, and the wired packet network The wireless base station on the communication path from the wired wireless base station to the source wireless base station sequentially transfers the handoff packet, and transmits the handoff packet to the wireless base station. The source wireless base station further performs a process of deleting the source wireless terminal from the belonging table by registering or updating the address in the address table in association with the station address. When the connection is changed to the wireless connection with the destination wireless base station), the wired wireless terminal, with respect to the destination wireless base station,
Each wireless base station on the communication path from the destination wireless base station to the wired wireless base station sequentially transmits the wireless connection packet, and transmits the wireless connection packet to the wireless base station. Learning in which an address and a transmitting station address are registered or updated in an address table in association with each other, and the wired base station performs processing of broadcasting the wireless connection packet from a wired interface to the wired packet network. Type wireless packet transfer method. 5. The learning-type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless base station establishes a communication path with a higher-level wireless base station (switching wireless base station) by another wireless base station (switching wireless base station). ), The wireless base station and the switching destination wireless base station update the relay wireless base station table with each other, and the wireless base station reads the switching source wireless from the address table. Deleting the registration of the base station, the radio base station, from among the radio terminals registered in the address table, all the radio terminals associated with the radio base station other than the switching source radio base station, belonging table All the registered wireless terminals, all lower wireless base stations registered in the relay wireless base station table are extracted, and further extracted all wireless terminals,
To all the radio base stations, sequentially transmit a handoff instruction packet instructing to transmit a handoff packet to the switching source radio base station, all the radio terminals and all the radio base stations that have received the handoff instruction packet, The wireless base station transmits the handoff packet with the switching source wireless base station as a destination and the own station as a transmission source, and each wireless base station on a communication path leading to the switching source wireless base station transmits the handoff packet. Sequentially transferring, registering or updating the source address and the transmitting station address in the address table in association with each other, and further, the switching source radio base station deletes the radio base station from the relay radio base station table. Learning wireless packet transfer method. 6. The learning-type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless base station establishes a communication path with an upper-level wireless base station (switching source wireless base station) by another wireless base station (switching destination wireless base station). ), The wireless base station and the switching destination wireless base station update the relay wireless base station table with each other, and the wireless base station reads the switching source wireless from the address table. Deleting the registration of the base station, the radio base station, from among the radio terminals registered in the address table, all the radio terminals associated with the radio base station other than the switching source radio base station, belonging table All the registered wireless terminals, all lower wireless base stations registered in the relay wireless base station table are extracted, and further extracted all wireless terminals,
All the radio base stations, and the own station as a transmission source, each transmits a handoff packet addressed to the switching source radio base station, each radio base station on the communication path to the switching source radio base station, the handoff packet Are sequentially transferred, the transmission source address and the transmission station address are registered or updated in the address table in association with each other, and the switching source radio base station deletes the radio base station from the relay radio base station table. Learning wireless packet transfer method. 7. The learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless base station receiving the packet B having the wireless base station as a transmission source transmits the packet B to the transmission source wireless base station indicated by the transmission source address. The source wireless base station indicated by the station address is associated with the destination wireless base station (destination address) and the destination wireless base station (receiver station address) is registered in the address table, assuming the destination wireless base station (destination address). The wireless base station on the communication path that forwards the handoff packet, the handoff instruction packet, and the wireless connection packet destined for each wireless base station to the destination wireless base station corresponding to the destination wireless base station based on the address table. A learning-type wireless packet transfer method, wherein each packet is transmitted. 8. A tree-like communication comprising a plurality of radio base stations and one or more radio terminals, and starting from one specific radio base station (root station) among the plurality of radio base stations. In a wireless base station of a wireless packet communication system forming a path, a membership table for registering wireless terminals belonging to the own station, and a relay wireless base station for registering a wireless base station capable of relaying based on the tree-shaped communication path A table, and an address table for registering the source address and the transmitting station address of the received packet in association with each other. When a packet is received, its type is determined, and the received packet is transmitted through the tree-shaped communication path. In the case of the packet B transmitted and received between the wireless base stations, a destination wireless base station of the packet is determined based on the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 1, and each table is registered. And a radio base station using a learning-type wireless packet transfer method characterized by comprising a control means for updating. 9. A tree-like communication comprising a plurality of wireless base stations and one or more wireless terminals, and starting from one specific wireless base station (root station) among the plurality of wireless base stations. In a wireless base station of a wireless packet communication system forming a path, a membership table for registering wireless terminals belonging to the own station, and a relay wireless base station for registering a wireless base station capable of relaying based on the tree-shaped communication path A table, an address table for registering the source address of the received packet and the transmitting station address in association with each other, and a registration hold timer for measuring a continuous non-reception time of the packet having the source address registered in the address table. When the received packet is a packet B transmitted and received between the wireless base stations via the tree-like communication path, Wireless base station using a learning-type wireless packet transfer method, comprising: control means for managing packets having the same source address based on the learning-type wireless packet transfer method described in (1) and updating information in an address table. Bureau. 10. A tree-like communication including a plurality of wireless base stations and one or more wireless terminals, and starting from one specific wireless base station (root station) among the plurality of wireless base stations. In a wireless base station of a wireless packet communication system forming a path, a membership table for registering wireless terminals belonging to the own station, and a relay wireless base station for registering a wireless base station capable of relaying based on the tree-shaped communication path A radio base station (mobile radio base station) to which the radio terminal currently belongs, and an address table for registering the source address and the transmission station address of the received packet in association with each other. When changing to the belonging of the (destination wireless base station), a handoff packet is transmitted and received based on the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 3,
A wireless base station using a learning-type wireless packet transfer method, characterized by comprising control means for updating information in each table. 11. A wired base station and a wired wireless terminal comprising a plurality of wireless base stations and one or more wireless terminals, further including a wired interface for connecting to a wired packet network. A wireless base station of a wireless packet communication system in which a tree-shaped communication path is formed starting from a wired wireless base station connected to a wired packet network, wherein a membership table for registering wireless terminals belonging to the own station; A relay wireless base station table for registering wireless base stations capable of relaying based on a tree-shaped communication path, and an address table for registering a source address of a received packet and a transmitting station address in association with each other, and When the wireless terminal switches from the wireless connection with the wireless base station (mobile wireless base station) to which the wireless terminal currently belongs to the wired connection, or A handoff packet or a wireless connection based on the learning type wireless packet transfer method according to claim 4, wherein when the wireless terminal changes connection from a wired connection to a wireless connection with a wireless base station (a destination wireless base station). A wireless base station using a learning-type wireless packet transfer method, comprising: a control unit that transmits and receives packets and updates information in each table. 12. A tree-like communication including a plurality of radio base stations and one or more radio terminals, and starting from one specific radio base station (root station) among the plurality of radio base stations. In a wireless base station of a wireless packet communication system forming a path, a membership table for registering wireless terminals belonging to the own station, and a relay wireless base station for registering a wireless base station capable of relaying based on the tree-shaped communication path And a table for registering the source address of the received packet and the address of the transmitting station in association with each other.
When the communication path with the wireless base station is switched to another wireless base station (switching wireless base station) and belongs to the switching wireless base station,
Wireless base station using a learning-type wireless packet transfer method, comprising: a control unit for transmitting / receiving a handoff instruction packet and a handoff packet based on the learning-type wireless packet transfer method described in (1) and updating information in each table. Bureau. 13. A tree-like communication including a plurality of radio base stations and one or more radio terminals, and starting from one specific radio base station (root station) among the plurality of radio base stations. A wireless packet communication system in which a path is formed; a membership table for registering wireless terminals belonging to the own station; a relay wireless base station table for registering wireless base stations capable of relaying based on the tree-shaped communication path; An address table for registering a source address of a packet and a transmission station address in association with each other, wherein the radio base station is a higher-level radio base station (switching source radio base station)
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of switching the communication path to another wireless base station (switching wireless base station) and belonging to the switching wireless base station.
A wireless base station using a learning-type wireless packet transfer method, comprising: a control unit that transmits and receives a hand-off packet based on the learning-type wireless packet transfer method described in (1) and updates information in each table.