阅读说明：本技术 无线装置和无线装置处理方法 (Wireless device and wireless device processing method ) 是由 板垣竹识 铃木英之 加藤淳二 于 2018-05-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明高效地向对应设备通知要与所述对应设备同步的时钟是否已被正确同步。该无线设备设置有：主控制单元；无线控制单元；和时钟同步管理单元。在主控制单元中,基于第一时钟(要同步的时钟)来管理时间。在无线控制单元中,基于第二时钟(参考时钟)来管理时间。时钟同步状态由同步管理单元管理。通过帧的发送将关于时钟同步状态的信息通知给无线连接的另一无线设备。(The present invention efficiently notifies a counterpart device whether a clock to be synchronized with the counterpart device has been correctly synchronized. The wireless device is provided with: a main control unit; a wireless control unit; and a clock synchronization management unit. In the main control unit, time is managed based on a first clock (a clock to be synchronized). In the wireless control unit, time is managed based on the second clock (reference clock). The clock synchronization state is managed by the synchronization management unit. The information on the clock synchronization state is notified to another wireless device of the wireless connection through the transmission of the frame.)

1. A wireless device, comprising:

a main control part configured to manage time using a first clock;

a wireless control section configured to manage time using a second clock; and

a clock synchronization management section configured to manage a clock synchronization state, wherein

The wireless control section notifies information on the clock synchronization state to another wireless device of the wireless connection through transmission of a frame.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein

The information on the clock synchronization state includes information on the synchronization state.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein

The synchronous state has either two types of states, synchronous and asynchronous, or three types of states, synchronous, asynchronous and cannot be synchronized due to strict synchronization standards.

4. The wireless device of claim 3,

the clock synchronization management section determines that the synchronization state is reached if an absolute value of a clock difference between the first clock and the second clock is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value within a predetermined period of time.

5. The wireless device of claim 3,

the clock synchronization management section determines that the synchronization state is reached if an absolute value of a clock difference between the first clock and the second clock is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value within a predetermined period of time, and if an absolute value of an offset of the second clock with respect to the other wireless device is equal to or smaller than a first threshold value within the predetermined period of time.

6. The wireless device of claim 3,

if the asynchronous state continues for a predetermined period of time, the clock synchronization management section decides that a state incapable of synchronization due to strict synchronization standards is reached.

7. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein

The information on the clock synchronization state also includes a criterion for determining the synchronization state.

8. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein

The information on the clock synchronization state further includes information on a transmission failure probability of the frame.

9. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein

The information on the clock synchronization status also includes information on wireless traffic.

10. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein

The information regarding the clock synchronization status also includes information regarding clock drift between the second clock and the other wireless device.

11. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein

The wireless control section transmits information for associating the first clock with the second clock to another wireless device by transmission of the frame, and

the association information also includes information about the clock difference between the two clocks.

12. The wireless device of claim 11, wherein

The association information also includes information about the clock granularity ratio between the two clocks.

13. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein

The wireless control section transmits information on the clock synchronization state as a part of a frame for measuring a time of the wireless control section with respect to another wireless device.

14. The wireless device of claim 1, further comprising:

a display section configured to display a user interface based on the information on the clock synchronization state.

15. The wireless device of claim 14,

if the asynchronous state continues for a predetermined period of time, the clock synchronization management section causes the display section to display a user interface requesting a user to determine whether or not to relax a synchronization completion determination criterion for use by the own station, and if the user accepts the relaxation of the criterion, the clock synchronization management section also changes the synchronization criterion.

16. A wireless device processing method for a wireless device, the wireless device comprising:

a main control part configured to manage time using a first clock,

a wireless control section configured to manage time using a second clock, an

A clock synchronization management section configured to manage a clock synchronization state,

the wireless device processing method comprises:

a step of causing the wireless control section to notify information on the clock synchronization state to another wireless device of the wireless connection by transmission of the frame.

17. A wireless device, comprising:

a main control part configured to manage time using a first clock; and

a wireless control section configured to manage time using a second clock, wherein

The wireless control section detects information on the clock synchronization state by receiving a frame from another wireless device of the wireless connection, and

the wireless apparatus further includes a display section configured to display a user interface based on the information on the clock synchronization state.

18. The wireless device of claim 17, wherein

The information on the clock synchronization state includes information on the synchronization state.

19. The wireless device of claim 18,

if the synchronization state indicates a state in which synchronization is impossible due to a strict synchronization standard, the display section displays a user interface that requests the user to determine whether to relax the synchronization standard with another wireless apparatus, and if the user accepts the relaxation of the synchronization standard with another wireless apparatus, the wireless control section notifies the other wireless apparatus of the relaxation of the synchronization standard through transmission of a frame.

20. The wireless device of claim 17, further comprising

An application section configured to perform processing based on the first clock.

Technical Field

The present technology relates to a wireless device and a wireless device processing method.

Background

For example, there are two methods (a) and (B) outlined below for synchronizing clocks of two wireless devices connected through a wireless LAN. Each wireless device includes a clock (system clock) for managing the time of its main control section and a clock (device clock ═ NIC clock) for managing the time of its wireless control section. The system clocks of the two devices are synchronized by their wireless control sections.

(A) Method for using PTP at IP layer level

The method of using frames (i.e., SYNC frame, FOLLOW _ UP frame, PDELAY _ Req frame, and PDELAY _ Resp frame) whose format is based on IEEE 1588PTP (precision time protocol) includes using frames exchanged via a wireless medium for system clock synchronization (see NPL 1). These formats are designed assuming that the time stamp is provided on a higher level layer, which leads to a disadvantage of deteriorating the synchronization accuracy.

(B) Method for clock synchronization using wireless layer level

This method of using the FTM (fine timing measurement) protocol specified in the 802.11-2016 standard includes first obtaining a device clock drift between the devices for device clock synchronization therebetween (see NPL 2). Thereafter, the time value of the device clock is reflected in the system clock.

Reference list

Non-patent document

[NPL 1]1588-2008-IEEE Standard for a Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems

[NPL 2]IEEE 802.11-2016,IEEE Standard for Information technology？Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local andmetropolitan area networks？Specific requirements Part 11:Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC)and Physical Layer(PHY)Specifications

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

Synchronization between the system clock of one device and the system clock of another device connected wirelessly is achieved under the following conditions: the device clocks of the two apparatuses are synchronized with each other or with each other by clock drift between them that can be accurately acquired by conversion, and the device clock and the system clock setting have been reflected on each other in each apparatus.

However, it is often not possible for one device to know whether its device clock and system clock settings have been reflected in another device. This requires each device to wirelessly send higher layer messages to another device to communicate with. One problem here is that generating and sending dedicated messages is inefficient both in the use of the wireless medium and in the operation of the processor.

One object of the present technology is for one device to efficiently notify another device whether a synchronization target clock is correctly synchronized between them.

Solution to the problem

According to one concept of the present technology, there is provided a wireless apparatus including: a main control part configured to manage time using a first clock; a wireless control section configured to manage time using a second clock; and a clock synchronization management section configured to manage a clock synchronization state. The wireless control section notifies information on the clock synchronization state to another wireless device of the wireless connection through transmission of the frame.

The wireless device of the present technology includes a main control section, a wireless control section, and a clock synchronization management section. The main control portion manages time using the first clock. The wireless control section manages time using the second clock. The clock synchronization management section manages a clock synchronization state. The other wireless device of the wireless connection is notified of information on the clock synchronization state by the transmission of the frame.

For example, the information on the clock synchronization state may include information on the synchronization state. In this case, for example, the synchronous state may have either two types of states, namely synchronous and asynchronous, or three types of states, namely synchronous, asynchronous and unsynchronized due to strict synchronization standards.

Also, in this case, the clock synchronization management section may determine that the synchronization state is reached if an absolute value of a clock difference between the first clock and the second clock is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value within a predetermined period of time. In this case, the clock synchronization management section may determine that the synchronization state is reached if an absolute value of a clock difference between the first clock and the second clock is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value within a predetermined period of time, and if an absolute value of an offset of the second clock with respect to the other wireless device is equal to or smaller than a first threshold value within the predetermined period of time. In addition, in this case, if the asynchronous state continues for a predetermined period of time, the clock synchronization management section may determine that a state that is not synchronizable due to a strict synchronization standard is reached.

As another example, the information on the clock synchronization state may further include a criterion for determining the synchronization state. As yet another example, the information on the clock synchronization state may further include information on a transmission failure probability of the frame. As yet another example, the information regarding the clock synchronization status may also include information regarding wireless traffic. As yet another example, the information regarding the clock synchronization status may also include information regarding clock drift between the second clock and another wireless device.

As yet another example, the wireless control portion may transmit information for associating the first clock with the second clock to another wireless device through transmission of the frame. The association information may also include information about the clock difference between the two clocks. In this case, the association information may further include information on a clock granularity ratio between the two clocks.

As another example, the wireless control portion may transmit information regarding the clock synchronization status as part of a frame for measuring the time of the wireless control portion relative to another wireless device. As yet another example, the wireless apparatus may further include a display portion configured to display a user interface based on the information on the clock synchronization state. In this case, if the asynchronous state continues for a predetermined period of time, the clock synchronization management section may cause the display section to display a user interface that requests the user to determine whether to relax the synchronization completion determination criterion for use by the own station. If the user accepts the relaxation of the standard, the clock synchronization management section may change the synchronization standard.

According to the present technology, as outlined above, the radio control section notifies the other radio apparatus of the radio connection of the information on the clock synchronization state by the transmission of the frame. This makes it possible for one device to efficiently notify the other device whether the synchronization target clock is correctly synchronized between them.

In accordance with another concept of the present technology, there is provided a wireless apparatus including: a main control part configured to manage time using a first clock; and a wireless control section configured to manage time using the second clock. The wireless control section detects information on the clock synchronization state by receiving a frame from another wireless device of the wireless connection. The wireless apparatus also includes a display section configured to display a user interface based on the information on the clock synchronization state.

According to the present technology, a wireless device includes a main control section and a wireless control section. The main control portion manages time using the first clock. The wireless control section manages time using the second clock. The wireless control section detects information on the clock synchronization state by receiving a frame from another wireless device of the wireless connection. A display device is provided to display a user interface based on the information on the clock synchronization status. For example, the wireless device may further include an application portion configured to perform processing based on the first clock.

For example, the information on the clock synchronization state may include information on the synchronization state. In this case, for example, the synchronous state may have either two types of states, namely synchronous and asynchronous, or three types of states, namely synchronous, asynchronous and unsynchronized due to strict synchronization standards.

Also, in this case, if the synchronization state indicates a state that is not synchronizable due to a strict synchronization standard, the display section may display a user interface that requests the user to determine whether to relax the synchronization standard with another wireless device. If the user accepts the relaxation of the synchronization standard with another wireless apparatus, the wireless control section may notify the other wireless apparatus of the relaxation of the synchronization standard through transmission of the frame.

According to the present technology, as outlined above, the wireless control section detects information on the clock synchronization state by receiving a frame from another wireless device that is wirelessly connected. Then, a user interface is displayed based on the detected information. This makes it possible to appropriately notify the clock synchronization state to the user.

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to the present technology, one device can efficiently notify another device whether a synchronization target clock is correctly synchronized therebetween. Incidentally, the advantageous effects summarized above are not limitations of the present disclosure. Further advantages will become apparent from a reading of the present disclosure.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting an overview of the operation of PTP (precision time protocol).

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting an operational overview of an FTM (fine timing measurement) protocol.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting a format of an FTM action frame.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting the format of an extended FTM action frame if the 802.1AS standard and the 802.11FTM protocol are used in combination.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of a wireless system as an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of a wireless system in a case where shutters of a plurality of imaging devices are synchronized in timing.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of a wireless system in a case where a plurality of audio devices are synchronized for audio reproduction.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of a wireless system in a case where a speaker and a microphone are used for acoustic wave distance measurement.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram depicting a process for synchronizing system clocks of two wireless devices that make up a communication system.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of a process of causing the time of the system clock in the wireless device a serving as the master to be reflected in the device clock thereof.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of a process of synchronizing the device clock of the wireless device a serving as a master with the device clock of the wireless device B serving as a slave.

Fig. 12 is a diagram depicting an exemplary format of an extended FTM request frame.

Fig. 13 is a diagram depicting an exemplary format of an extended FTM action frame.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of a process of causing the time of the device clock in the wireless apparatus B serving as the slave apparatus to be reflected in its system clock.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of a synchronization state management process between a master device and a slave device.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of the intra-own-station synchronization completion determination process.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of another intra-site synchronization completion determination process.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of the synchronization state management processing in the case where the own-station synchronization completion determination processing and the another-station synchronization completion determination processing are performed in parallel.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of a process of synchronizing the device clock of the wireless device a serving as a master with the device clock of the wireless device B serving as a slave.

Fig. 20 is a diagram depicting an exemplary format of an extended FTM request frame employed by a second embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 21 is a diagram depicting an exemplary format of an extended FTM action frame employed by the second embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of another intra-own-station synchronization completion determination process.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of another intra-site synchronization completion determination process.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary User Interface (UI) for determining whether to relax synchronization criteria.

Fig. 25 is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary FTM action frame where clock granularity ratio information and clock difference information are included in vendor specific elements of the frame.

Fig. 26 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary flow of still another intra-own-station synchronization completion determination process.

Detailed Description

An embodiment (referred to as an embodiment) for realizing the present technology is described below. The description will be given under the following headings: