JP2010114746A - Communication control apparatus, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication control apparatus capable of providing low-charge services of IP telephones or the like even in a communication using a cellular phone. <P>SOLUTION: The communication control apparatus 2 includes: an antenna 2A for exchanging radio waves with a cellular phone 7; a connector 21 connected to a mobile communication network via a wired communication line; and a processing device 30 for carrying out signal processing related to mobile communication between the antenna 2A and the connector 21. The processing device 30 includes: a SIP processing section 50 for processing a signal relating to call control of the cellular phone 7 according to SIP; and a distribution processing section 46 for distributing control signals inputted from the cellular phone 7 through the antenna 2A to the processing device 30 to a call control system signal and a radio control system signal. The call control system signal is outputted through the SIP processing section 50 toward the connector 21 and the radio control system signal is outputted toward the connector 21 without passing through the SIP processing section 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device and a communication system.

  Since communication using a mobile phone uses radio waves, communication using a mobile phone becomes impossible even in a communication service area in an insensitive area where the radio waves do not reach, such as indoors or underground. Therefore, construction of a communication system using a small base station is being studied in order to enable communication using a mobile phone even in a radio wave insensitive area.

  In this communication system, a small base station (hereinafter referred to as a “femtocell base station”) having a very small cell (femtocell) with a radius of about several tens of meters as a communication area is installed in a radio wave insensitive area. Further, the femtocell base station is connected to a mobile communication network of a mobile phone operator via an IP network using a wired communication line. Accordingly, the mobile phone in the radio wave insensitive area is connected to the mobile communication network via the femtocell base station and the IP network. As a result, communication using a mobile phone is possible even in a radio wave insensitive area.

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a communication system including a radio base station installed in a subscriber premises for optical communication. In this communication system, a signal from a mobile phone used in a subscriber premises is transmitted from a wireless base station in the premises to an accommodation station via an optical communication cable, and the accommodation station transmits an IP network, a general telephone switching network, or a mobile It is transmitted to various networks such as a communication exchange network.

  With the development of network technology in recent years, home networks that connect a plurality of network devices such as personal computers (hereinafter simply referred to as “PCs”) and IP telephones are becoming popular in homes and offices. is there. A home gateway device (hereinafter abbreviated as “home gateway”) is connected to the home network as an interface for connecting the home network and an external IP network. The home gateway performs transmission / reception of signals between the home network and the IP network, protocol conversion, and routing, and also manages and controls network devices connected to the home network.

JP 2004-15103 A

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a home gateway (HGW) 101 and a femtocell base station 102 are installed in the same building 100. The home network system includes a home network 103 using a LAN or PLC, a home gateway 101 connected to the home network 103, and a plurality of network devices connected to the home network 103. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, a personal computer 104 and an IP phone 105 are connected to the home network 103 as network devices. The home gateway 101 is connected to an external power source 110 such as an outlet. The home gateway 101 is connected to an IP network 108 outside the building 100.

  The femtocell base station 102 is connected to the home gateway 101 via a LAN cable. Further, the femtocell base station 102 has an antenna 106, and radio waves are transmitted and received between the antenna 106 of the femtocell base station 102 and the antenna 107A of the mobile phone 107. The femtocell base station 102 is connected to an external power source 111 such as an outlet. The femtocell base station 102 is connected to a mobile communication network 109 of a mobile phone operator via an IP network 108 and a gateway (GW) 123. The mobile communication network 109 includes a radio controller 120, a mobile switching center 121, an HLR 122A, and a VLR 122B.

  According to the example shown in FIG. 9, audio signals between the mobile phone 107 and the communication terminal of the other party (for example, a mobile phone) are transmitted and received via the mobile communication network 109 of the mobile phone carrier. Become. Accordingly, the current situation is that the communication fee is higher than the communication using the IP phone.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by using a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, it is possible to receive a low-charge service such as an IP phone, thereby improving user convenience. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a communication control device and a communication system that can improve the performance.

  A communication control device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves to and from a mobile communication terminal, a first connection unit that is connected to a mobile communication network via a wired communication line, A processing unit that performs first signal processing related to mobile communication between the antenna and the first connection unit, and the processing unit transmits a signal related to call control of the mobile communication terminal to the SIP. An SIP processing unit for processing by the above and a distribution processing unit for distributing a control signal input from the mobile communication terminal to the processing unit via the antenna into a call control system signal and a radio control system signal, The call control system signal is output from the processing unit to the first connection unit via the SIP processing unit, and the radio control system signal is not transmitted through the SIP processing unit. From the processing unit Is characterized in that the output toward the connecting portion.

  According to the communication control apparatus according to the first aspect, the processing unit includes the SIP processing unit that processes a signal related to call control of the mobile communication terminal by SIP. Therefore, when the partner communication terminal is connected to the IP network, the audio signal between the mobile communication terminal and the partner communication terminal is transmitted / received via the IP network instead of the mobile communication network. . Therefore, a low-charge service such as an IP phone can be expected while using a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone. In addition, the processing unit includes a distribution processing unit that distributes the control signal input from the mobile communication terminal via the antenna into a call control system signal and a radio control system signal. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately distribute and process a call control system signal that requires processing by the SIP processing unit and a radio control system signal that does not require processing by the SIP processing unit by the distribution processing unit.

  The communication control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is further provided with a second connection unit connected to a home network, particularly in the communication control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the processing unit includes the second control unit. The second signal processing related to the home network via the connection unit is further executed.

  According to the communication control apparatus which concerns on a 2nd aspect, a process part performs both the signal processing relevant to a home network, and the signal processing relevant to mobile communication. Therefore, by integrating the function as a home network termination device and the function as a femtocell base station into a single processing unit, the termination device and the femtocell base station can be integrated and configured. User convenience can be improved.

  A communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a communication control apparatus according to the first or second aspect, an IP network connected to the communication control apparatus via the wired communication line, and the IP network. And a SIP server that is connected and performs call processing related to the mobile communication terminal.

  According to the communication system according to the third aspect, the processing unit includes the SIP processing unit that processes a signal related to call control of the mobile communication terminal by SIP. Therefore, when the partner communication terminal is connected to the IP network, the audio signal between the mobile communication terminal and the partner communication terminal is transmitted / received via the IP network instead of the mobile communication network. . Therefore, a low-charge service such as an IP phone can be expected while using a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone. In addition, the processing unit includes a distribution processing unit that distributes the control signal input from the mobile communication terminal via the antenna into a call control system signal and a radio control system signal. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately distribute and process a call control system signal that requires processing by the SIP processing unit and a radio control system signal that does not require processing by the SIP processing unit by the distribution processing unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while using mobile communication terminals, such as a mobile telephone, the convenience of a user can be improved by making it possible to receive a low charge service like an IP telephone.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the element which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in different drawing shall show the same or corresponding element.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a communication system including a communication control apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication control device 2 is installed in the building 1. The building 1 is, for example, an office or a user's home, and is a radio wave insensitive area where radio waves from an outdoor base station are difficult to reach (or do not reach).

  A home network system is installed in the building 1. The home network system includes a home network 3 using a LAN (Local Area Network) or PLC (Power Line Communication), a communication control device 2 connected to the home network 3 via a network cable 6, and a home network 3. A plurality of connected network devices. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer 4 and an IP phone 5 are connected to the home network 3 as network devices.

  The communication control device 2 is a device in which a home gateway and a femtocell base station are integrated. The communication control device 2 is connected to an external power source 8 such as an outlet. The communication control device 2 is connected to an IP network 9 outside the building 1 via a wired communication line 10 such as an optical fiber or a metal cable. The communication control device 2 has an antenna 2A, and radio waves are transmitted and received between the antenna 2A of the communication control device 2 and the antenna 7A of the mobile phone 7.

  The IP network 9 is connected to a mobile communication network 11 of a mobile phone operator via a gateway (GW) 12. The mobile communication network 11 includes a wireless control device 13, an HLR (Home Location Register) 14, a mobile switching center 18, and a VLR (Visitor Location Register) 15.

  In addition, an SIP server 16 and an IP telephone 17 are connected to the IP network 9. The SIP server 16 performs call processing between communication terminals in communication via the IP network 9.

  The mobile phone 7 is a mobile communication terminal owned by the user. When the user holding the mobile phone 7 is located in the building 1 (that is, within the communication area of the femtocell base station), a wireless signal is transmitted between the antenna 7A of the mobile phone 7 and the antenna 2A of the communication control device 2. Are sent and received. The mobile phone 7 in the building 1 is connected to the mobile communication network 11 via the communication control device 2, the wired communication line 10, the IP network 9, and the gateway 12. As a result, the user can communicate with the mobile phone 7 even in the building 1 which is a radio wave insensitive area.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an external configuration of the communication control device 2. A power plug 20 connected to the external power supply 8 is connected to the side surface of the housing of the communication control device 2. Further, a connector 21 to which a wired communication line 10 for connecting to the IP network 9 and a network cable 6 for connecting to the home network 3 are connected to the side surface of the casing of the communication control device 2. 22 are provided. An antenna 2 </ b> A is attached to the side surface of the housing of the communication control device 2.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the communication control device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication control device 2 is connected to a processing device 30 such as a CPU, a bridge 31 connected to the processing device 30, drivers 32 and 35 connected to the bridge 31, and a driver 32. A WAN (Wide Area Network) interface 33 and a LAN interface 34 and a PHY processing unit 36 connected to a driver 35 are provided. The PHY processing unit 36 processes a physical layer in the mobile phone wireless protocol. The WAN interface 33 is connected to the connector 21, and the LAN interface 34 is connected to the connector 22.

  The processing device 30 can execute both signal processing related to the home network and signal processing related to mobile communication using a mobile phone. Specifically, the processing device 30 includes a MAC processing unit 40, an RLC processing unit 41, an RRC processing unit 42, a PDCP processing unit 43, a TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44, an IP processing unit 45, a distribution processing unit 46, and a protocol conversion. Unit 47, IP address conversion unit 48, B2BUA processing unit 49, and SIP processing unit 50. In recent years, since the processing capacity of the CPU has been improved, it is sufficient to consolidate the high-speed and large-capacity communication processing function of the home gateway and the radio communication function of the femtocell base station into a single processing device 30. Is possible.

  The MAC processing unit 40, the RLC processing unit 41, the RRC processing unit 42, and the PDCP processing unit 43 are a MAC (Medium Access Control) sublayer, an RLC (Radio Link Control) sublayer, an RRC (Radio Resource Control) in the mobile phone wireless protocol. ) Layer and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) sublayer.

  The TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 and the IP processing unit 45 are configured such that the communication control device 2 as a home gateway has a network device such as a personal computer 4 or an IP telephone 5 connected to the home network 3 or an external IP network 9. It is a function necessary for performing communication with. The TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 processes TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), or RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol). The IP processing unit 45 processes IP (Internet Protocol).

  The distribution processing unit 46 distributes the control message (control signal) input from the RRC processing unit 42 to the radio control system signal S1 and the call control system signal S2, and directs the radio control system signal S1 to the IP address conversion unit 48. And the call control system signal S2 is output to the protocol converter 47. Also, the distribution processing unit 46 outputs the radio control system signal S4 input from the IP address conversion unit 48 and the call control system signal S5 input from the protocol conversion unit 47 to the RRC processing unit 42. The call control system signals S2 and S5 include a control message for call processing and a control message for mobile phone location registration and authentication.

  The protocol conversion unit 47 converts the protocol of the mobile phone 7 and the protocol of the IP network 9 to each other with respect to the call control system signals S2 and S5. That is, the protocol conversion unit 47 converts the call control system signal S2 input from the distribution processing unit 46 into a protocol (SIP) corresponding to the IP network 9, and the B2BUA processing unit 49 through the IP address conversion unit 48. The input call control system signal S5 is converted into a protocol corresponding to the mobile phone 7.

  A B2BUA (Back-to-Back User Agent) processing unit 49 includes a call control system signal S2 input from the protocol conversion unit 47 via the IP address conversion unit 48, and a call control system signal input from the SIP processing unit 50. In order to match the message with S5, processing such as generation of a new request is performed.

  The SIP processing unit 50 processes the call control system signal S2 input from the B2BUA processing unit 49 and the call control system signal S5 input from the TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 by SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).

  The IP address conversion unit 48 converts the IP addresses included in the radio control system signals S1 and S4, the call control system signals S2 and S5, and the voice signals S3 and S6 into desired ones. The IP address conversion unit 48 converts the IP address processed or processed by the PDCP processing unit 43 into a desired one.

  In the processing device 30, the RLC processing unit 41, the distribution processing unit 46, the PDCP processing unit 43, and the TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 are bidirectionally connected via the IP address conversion unit 48. Since the SIP processing unit 50 and the TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 are connected bidirectionally, the function related to mobile communication by the mobile phone and the function related to the home network are linked to each other.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating protocol stacks of the mobile phone 7, the communication control device 2, and the wireless control device 13 regarding the wireless control. The mobile phone 7 includes PHY, MAC, RLC, RRC, and NAS (Non-Access Stratum) in order from the lower layer. Further, the communication control device 2 includes, on the mobile phone 7 side, in order from the lower layer, PHY, MAC, RLC, RRC, and distribution (corresponding to the distribution processing unit 46 in FIG. 3). Includes, in order from the lower layer, PHY, Layer2, IP, TCP, and RANAP (Radio Access Network Application Part). In FIG. 3, the description of the processing unit that processes RANAP is omitted. The radio network controller 13 includes PHY, Layer 2, IP, TCP, RANAP, and NAS in order from the lower layer.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating protocol stacks of the mobile phone 7, the communication control device 2, and the SIP server 16 regarding call control. The protocol stack of the mobile phone 7 is the same as that in FIG. On the mobile phone 7 side, the communication control device 2 includes, in order from the lower layer, PHY, MAC, RLC, RRC, distribution, conversion (corresponding to the protocol conversion unit 47 in FIG. 3), and B2BUA. On the side, in order from the lower layer, PHY, Layer2, IP, UDP, SIP, and B2BUA are included. The SIP server 16 includes PHY, Layer 2, IP, UDP, and SIP in order from the lower layer.

  6 to 8 are diagrams showing the flow of processing when the mobile phone 7 in the building 1 makes a call with the IP phone 17 (see FIG. 1) connected to the IP network 9. First, the cellular phone 7 transmits a signal channel setting request signal (radio control system signal) S1 for transmitting a call setting request signal later. The radio control system signal S1 is received by the antenna 2A of the communication control device 2, and is input to the processing device 30 via the PHY processing unit 36, the driver 35, and the bridge 31 in this order.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the radio control system signal S1 input to the processing device 30 includes a MAC processing unit 40, an RLC processing unit 41, an RRC processing unit 42, a distribution processing unit 46, an IP address conversion in the processing device 30. The data is output from the processing device 30 via the unit 48, the TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 (strictly TCP), and the IP processing unit 45 in this order.

  The radio control system signal S1 output from the processing device 30 is output from the communication control device 2 via the bridge 31, the driver 32, the WAN interface 33, and the connector 21 in this order. The radio control system signal S1 output from the communication control device 2 is input to the radio control device 13 of the mobile communication network 11 via the wired communication line 10, the IP network 9, and the gateway 12 in this order.

  Upon receiving the radio control system signal S1, the radio control apparatus 13 sets an appropriate signal channel and carries the radio control system signal S4 including the setting information through a route in the reverse order to the transmission route of the radio control system signal S1. Send to phone 7

  The mobile phone 7 that has received the radio control system signal S4 transmits a call setting request signal (call control system signal) S2 including the telephone number of the destination IP phone 17. The call control system signal S2 is received by the antenna 2A of the communication control device 2, and is input to the processing device 30 via the PHY processing unit 36, the driver 35, and the bridge 31 in this order.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the call control system signal S2 input to the processing device 30 includes a MAC processing unit 40, an RLC processing unit 41, an RRC processing unit 42, a distribution processing unit 46, and a protocol conversion unit in the processing device 30. 47, the IP address conversion unit 48, the B2BUA processing unit 49, the SIP processing unit 50, the TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 (strictly UDP), and the IP processing unit 45, which are output from the processing device 30 in this order. Is done.

  The call control signal S2 output from the processing device 30 is output from the communication control device 2 via the bridge 31, the driver 32, the WAN interface 33, and the connector 21 in this order. The call control system signal S2 output from the communication control device 2 is input to the SIP server 16 via the wired communication line 10 and the IP network 9 in this order.

  The SIP server 16 determines the IP address of the IP phone 17 by referring to a location server (not shown), and transmits a session establishment request to the IP phone 17. When the IP telephone 17 responds to this session establishment request signal, the SIP server 16 transmits the call control system signal S5 including the response confirmation signal to the mobile telephone through a route in the reverse order to the transmission route of the call control system signal S2. Send to 7 As a result, a connection is set, and a call between the mobile phone 7 and the IP phone 17 is possible.

  After the call starts, the audio signal S3 transmitted from the mobile phone 7 is received by the antenna 2A of the communication control device 2, and is input to the processing device 30 via the PHY processing unit 36, the driver 35, and the bridge 31 in this order. Is done.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the audio signal S3 input to the processing device 30 is transmitted to the MAC processing unit 40, the RLC processing unit 41, the IP address conversion unit 48, the TCP / UDP / RTP processing unit 44 ( Strictly speaking, RTP) and the IP processing unit 45 are output from the processing device 30 via this order.

  The audio signal S3 output from the processing device 30 is output from the communication control device 2 via the bridge 31, the driver 32, the WAN interface 33, and the connector 21 in this order. The audio signal S3 output from the communication control device 2 is input to the IP telephone 17 via the wired communication line 10 and the IP network 9 in this order. Also, the audio signal S6 transmitted from the IP phone 17 is transmitted toward the mobile phone 7 through a route in the reverse order to the transmission route of the audio signal S3.

  When the call ends, the call is disconnected by the same method as the transmission / reception of the call control signals S2 and S5 described above. Further, the channel setting is canceled by the same method as the transmission and reception of the radio control system signals S1 and S4.

  In the above description, the channel is set and released by the radio network controller 13 included in the mobile communication network 11. However, a server having the same function as the radio network controller 13 is provided on the IP network 9, and this server The channel may be set and released by

  In the above description, the example in which the function of the femtocell base station is integrated into the home gateway has been described. However, it is also possible to integrate the function into another terminal device such as an ONU (Optical Network Unit) or a router of the home network. .

  As described above, according to the communication control device 2 and the communication system according to the present embodiment, the processing device 30 performs both signal processing related to the home network 3 and signal processing related to mobile communication by the mobile phone 7. Execute. Therefore, by integrating the function as the termination device of the home network 3 and the function as the femtocell base station into the single processing device 30, the termination device and the femtocell base station can be integrated. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  In addition, the processing device 30 includes a SIP processing unit 50 that processes a signal related to call control of a mobile communication terminal such as the mobile phone 7 by SIP. Therefore, when the communication terminal of the other party (IP telephone 17 in the example of the embodiment) is connected to the IP network 9, the audio signal between the mobile communication terminal and the other party's communication terminal is a mobile object. Transmission / reception is performed via the IP network 9 instead of the communication network 11. Therefore, while using a mobile communication terminal such as the mobile phone 7, a low-charge service such as an IP phone can be expected.

  Further, according to the communication control device 2 and the communication system according to the present embodiment, the processing device 30 is configured to include the distribution processing unit 46. Therefore, call control system signals S2 and S5 that require processing by the SIP processing unit 50 and radio control system signals S1 and S4 that do not require processing by the SIP processing unit 50 are appropriately distributed and processed by the distribution processing unit 46. It becomes possible.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

It is a figure which shows roughly the whole structure of a communication system provided with the communication control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example of an external appearance structure of a communication control apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of a communication control apparatus. It is a figure which shows each protocol stack of a mobile telephone, a communication control apparatus, and a radio control apparatus regarding radio | wireless control. It is a figure which shows each protocol stack of a mobile telephone, a communication control apparatus, and a SIP server regarding call control. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process when the mobile telephone in a building makes a telephone call with the IP telephone of a communicating party. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process when the mobile telephone in a building makes a telephone call with the IP telephone of a communicating party. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process when the mobile telephone in a building makes a telephone call with the IP telephone of a communicating party. It is a figure which shows the example in which the home gateway and the femtocell base station were installed in the same building.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Communication control apparatus 2A Antenna 3 Home network 7 Mobile phone 9 IP network 10 Wired communication line 11 Mobile communication network 16 SIP server 17 IP telephone 21, 22 Connector 30 Processing apparatus 46 Distribution processing part 47 Protocol conversion part 50 SIP processing part

Claims (3)

An antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from a mobile communication terminal;
A first connection unit connected to the mobile communication network via a wired communication line;
A processing unit that performs first signal processing related to mobile communication between the antenna and the first connection unit;
The processor is
A SIP processing unit for processing a signal related to call control of the mobile communication terminal by SIP;
A distribution processing unit that distributes a control signal input from the mobile communication terminal to the processing unit via the antenna into a call control system signal and a radio control system signal;
The call control system signal is output from the processing unit to the first connection unit via the SIP processing unit,
The communication control apparatus, wherein the radio control system signal is output from the processing unit toward the first connection unit without passing through the SIP processing unit. A second connection unit connected to the home network;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit further executes a second signal processing related to the home network via the second connection unit. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2,
An IP network connected to the communication control device via the wired communication line;
A communication system comprising: an SIP server connected to the IP network and performing call processing related to the mobile communication terminal.

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