JP2013162229A - Radio communication system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently estimate decline in the place rate of a communication area by a simple and low cost method completely different from the prior art.SOLUTION: In a radio communication system in which radio communication is performed between a radio base station and a radio terminal in a communication area formed by the radio base station, the radio base station comprises estimation processing means which counts the number of authenticated terminals performing communication in the communication area and the number of authentication request terminals connection requests from which are authenticated, calculates a ratio of the number of authentication request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in a unit time, determines whether or not the ratio is equal to or more than a prescribed threshold value, and estimates that the place rate of the communication area formed by the radio base station has declined if the ratio is equal to or more than the prescribed threshold value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile radio communication system such as a mobile phone, and a radio communication system that detects a decrease in the location rate of a communication area due to a failure of a base station device, aged deterioration, an environmental change, and the like, and further maintains a predetermined location rate And methods. Here, the location rate of the communication area refers to the proportion of locations that can be received with a predetermined communication quality within the communication area.

  In order to provide a stable wireless communication service, it is necessary to monitor deterioration of communication quality in the communication area due to failure of the base station device, deterioration over time, environmental change, and the like, that is, decrease in the location rate of the communication area. Therefore, conventionally, a self-check method for detecting a circuit failure or deterioration in the base station apparatus has been adopted. For example, Patent Document 1 is configured to detect a failure by monitoring the current of an amplifier of a base station device. In patent document 2, it was the structure provided with the ALC function which monitors the signal level of a transmitter and adjusts to a predetermined value.

JP 2001-319907 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-241922

  In the prior art, a change in the location rate of the communication area is estimated by a self-check of the base station device. That is, it is not a configuration that directly detects how much the communication quality of the communication area formed by the base station is fluctuated due to a failure of the base station device, aging deterioration, environmental change, or the like.

  For example, when the angle of the base station antenna is shifted due to an earthquake, the location rate of the communication area may decrease. However, the conventional technique cannot directly detect such a decrease in the location rate of the communication area. For this reason, it is necessary to place a failure detection device in every location that will affect the decrease in the location rate in the base station device, and to calculate and correct the correlation between the degree of each failure and the location rate in the communication area. In addition, the processing becomes complicated and enormous costs are required.

  On the other hand, in order to directly detect the location rate of the communication area, a device for monitoring the communication quality of the radio signal is installed at each point in the communication area, and means for collecting each communication quality data is required. For this reason, not only a huge cost is required, but also the pressure on the network line becomes a problem when wireless is used as a data collection means.

  The present invention provides a wireless communication system and method that can efficiently estimate a reduction in the location rate of a communication area and cover a reduction in the location rate by a simple and low-cost method that is completely different from the prior art. The purpose is to provide.

  1st invention is a radio | wireless communications system which performs radio | wireless communication between a radio base station and the radio | wireless terminal in the communication area which the radio base station forms, A radio base station communicates in a communication area Count the number of authenticated terminals and the number of authenticated request terminals that perform authentication for connection requests, calculate the ratio of the number of authenticated request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time, and determine whether the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. An estimation processing unit is provided for determining and estimating that the location rate of the communication area formed by the radio base station is reduced when the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

  In the wireless communication system according to the first aspect of the invention, when the wireless terminal detects that the communication area is out of the service area while the power is on, the wireless terminal holds an out-of-service flag and detects that the communication area is within the communication area. A connection request including the out-of-service flag is transmitted, and a means for discarding the out-of-service flag is provided. The estimation processing unit of the radio base station counts the number of authentication request terminals based on the out-of-service flag.

  In the wireless communication system of the first invention, the estimation processing means of the wireless base station records the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time, and sets an average value or maximum value of the ratio for a predetermined period. Is set as the threshold value.

  In the wireless communication system of the first invention, the estimation processing means of the wireless base station controls a parameter related to communication quality for the wireless base station and the wireless terminal when it is estimated that the location rate of the communication area has decreased. The radio base station and the radio terminal are configured to control parameters related to communication quality corresponding to the parameter control signal.

  In the wireless communication system of the first invention, the estimation processing means of the wireless base station performs control when the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time is equal to or greater than a threshold after transmitting the parameter control signal. In addition to transmitting a signal for returning the parameter, the network management device is notified that the location rate of the communication area has decreased.

  A second invention is a wireless communication method for performing wireless communication between a wireless base station and a wireless terminal in a communication area formed by the wireless base station. The wireless base station performs communication in the communication area. Count the number of authenticated terminals and the number of authenticated request terminals that perform authentication for connection requests, calculate the ratio of the number of authenticated request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time, and determine whether the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When it is determined that the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is estimated that the location ratio of the communication area formed by the radio base station has decreased.

  In the wireless communication method of the second invention, when the wireless terminal detects that the communication area is out of the service area while the power is on, the wireless terminal holds an out-of-service area flag and detects that the communication area is within the communication area. A connection request including the out-of-service flag is transmitted, the out-of-service flag is discarded, and the radio base station counts the number of authentication requesting terminals based on the out-of-service flag.

  In the radio communication method of the second invention, the radio base station records a ratio of the number of authenticated request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time, and sets an average value or a maximum value of the ratio for a certain period as a predetermined threshold value. To do.

  The present invention pays attention to the fact that the number of authenticated terminals decreases and the number of authenticated request terminals increases in a communication area where the location rate has decreased due to a failure of a radio base station, etc., and an authentication request for the number of authenticated terminals per unit time Based on the ratio of the number of terminals, it is possible to estimate a decrease in the location rate of the communication area. As a result, it is possible to accurately grasp the radio base station that has caused a decrease in the location rate of the communication area by a simple and low-cost method, and to quickly cope with the decrease in the location rate.

It is a figure which shows the structure of Example 1 of the radio | wireless communications system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of Example 1 of the radio | wireless communications system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the wireless base station in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the wireless base station in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the threshold value in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of Example 2 of the radio | wireless communications system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the wireless base station in Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the wireless base station in Example 4 of this invention.

1 and 2 show a configuration of a first embodiment of a wireless communication system according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a plurality of wireless terminals 3 exist in communication areas 2A and 2B formed by adjacent wireless base stations 1A and 1B, respectively. Adjacent end portions of the communication areas 2A and 2B of the radio base stations 1A and 1B overlap, and the mobile terminal 3 that has moved performs a handover process at the overlapped portion, thereby enabling continuous communication.

  Here, it is assumed that a failure occurs in the radio base station 1A and the cell radius of the communication area 2A decreases, that is, the location rate of the communication area 2A decreases, as shown in FIG. As the cell radius of the communication area 2A is reduced, a dead zone is generated between the communication area 2A and the communication area 2B, and the wireless terminals 3X and 3Y existing in the communication area 2A are out of service.

  Thereafter, when the wireless terminals 3X and 3Y move to the communication areas 2A and 2B, respectively, authentication processing is performed in the wireless base stations 1A and 1B. That is, when the wireless terminals 3X and 3Y are temporarily out of service area with the power turned on and then move to the communication areas 2A and 2B, the connection request is transmitted to the wireless base stations 1A and 1B, respectively, and the authentication process is performed. Authentication for such a wireless terminal is “recovery authentication” in distinction from an authentication request of a wireless terminal whose power is turned on, and will be specifically described in the second embodiment.

  Here, in the communication area 2A in which the cell radius is reduced, the number of authenticated terminals that are in the communication area and communicate with the radio base station 1A is reduced, and authentication is performed for a connection request from a moving radio terminal. It is considered that the number of authentication request terminals (the number of return authentication request terminals described in the second embodiment) increases. On the other hand, in the communication area 2B, since the cell radius does not change, the increase or decrease in the number of authenticated terminals is slight. The feature of the present invention focuses on this difference, and estimates a decrease in the location rate of the communication areas 2A and 2B based on the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time.

FIG. 3 shows a device configuration example of a radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, the radio base station 1 compares the authentication apparatus 11 that performs authentication for the connection request of the radio terminal 3 with the ratio of the number of authentication request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time and a threshold value. A location rate estimation device 12 that estimates a decrease in the location rate of the communication area 2 formed by the station 1. The location rate estimation device 12 includes a counter 121 that counts the number of authenticated terminals that are communicable within a communication area and the number of authentication request terminals that perform authentication processing, a storage unit 122 that stores each value, and unit time Is provided with an arithmetic processing unit 123 that calculates the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in, and estimates the location ratio of the communication area by comparison with a threshold value.

FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure of the radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 4, the number of authenticated terminals and the number of authentication requesting terminals are counted (S1), the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time is calculated (S2), and whether the ratio is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Is determined (S3). Here, if the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the number of authenticated terminals decreases and the number of authentication requesting terminals increases, so the location rate of the communication area decreases. (S4).

  The threshold value to be compared with the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in unit time may be a constant value or may be a different value for each time zone. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the average value or the maximum value of the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the past is stored as a threshold value for each time period. The threshold that varies for each time zone is compared with the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in each current time zone.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the ratios of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the time period of 01:00 to 02:00 and 02:00 to 03:00 are 3.112% and 2.013%. If the threshold is fixed at 3%, for example, the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the time zone from 01:00 to 02:00 is equal to or greater than the threshold, so that the location rate of the communication area has decreased. Become. However, if the thresholds in the time zone from 01:00 to 02:00 and 02:00 to 03:00 are 3.678% and 1.566% from the past data, the base will be in the time zone from 02:00 to 03:00 Since some trouble has occurred in the station apparatus and the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals is equal to or greater than the threshold, it can be estimated that the location rate of the communication area has decreased.

  In this way, when it is assumed that the flow of people (wireless terminals) can vary depending on the time of day or day of the week and the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals varies, for example, every hour or every day of the week The average value or the maximum value of the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the past is set as a threshold value. By comparing the threshold according to the time zone or day of the week and the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals, it is possible to more accurately estimate the decrease in the communication area location rate in each time zone. .

  In general, the authentication process in the authentication device 11 is performed by an attach process that transmits a connection request signal to the radio base station 1 when the radio terminal 3 moves from outside the area to within the area or when the power is turned on. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the wireless terminal 3 whose power is always on is dominant, and the count value of the connection request and authentication request made to the wireless base station 1 is the wireless for performing return authentication. It can be regarded as the number of terminals (the number of return authentication requesting terminals).

  In the second embodiment, the return authentication request terminal that transmits the connection request signal is distinguished from the power-on terminal, the number of return authentication request terminals is accurately grasped, and the ratio of the number of return authentication request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time is obtained. This is to improve the estimation accuracy of the location rate of the communication area.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of Embodiment 2 of the wireless communication system of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, the configuration of the wireless communication system is the same as that of the first embodiment. When a failure occurs in the wireless base station 1A and the cell radius of the communication area 2A decreases, that is, the location rate of the communication area 2A decreases. Is assumed. Since the cell radius of the communication area 2A is reduced, a dead zone is generated between the communication area 2A and the communication area 2B, and the wireless terminal 3X existing in the communication area 2A is out of range. At this time, since the wireless terminal 3X is out of service area with the power on, the in-service area determination unit 31 determines that the communication area has moved out of the communication area, and holds the out-of-service flag in the flag storage unit 32.

  After that, when the wireless terminal 3X moves to the communication area 2A (even if it moves to the adjacent communication area 2B), it transmits a connection request including the out-of-service flag held in the flag storage unit 32 to the wireless base station 1A, The out-of-service flag in the flag storage unit 32 is discarded. The radio base station 1A performs an authentication process on the radio terminal 3X and counts the out-of-service flag included in the connection request as the number of return authentication request terminals. On the other hand, the wireless terminal 3Z whose power has been switched from OFF to ON does not include the out-of-service flag in the connection request, and thus is not counted as the number of return authentication requesting terminals.

  Therefore, by monitoring the out-of-service flag, it is possible to identify a wireless terminal that is out of service while the power is turned on, and then enters the service area and performs return authentication, and counts as the number of return authentication requesting terminals. Thereby, the ratio of the number of return authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time can be accurately obtained, and the estimation accuracy of the location rate of the communication area can be increased. In addition, since the out-of-service flag is sufficient as 1-bit information, the proportion of the connection request signal is small, and the pressure on the wireless network can be minimized.

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure of the radio base station according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, the location rate estimation device 12 of the radio base station counts the number of authenticated terminals and the number of authentication request terminals (S1), and calculates the ratio of the number of authentication request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time (S2). ), It is determined whether or not the ratio is equal to or greater than a threshold (S3). Here, if the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals per unit time is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is estimated that the location rate of the communication area has decreased (S4). The steps so far are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The wireless base station that has estimated that the location rate of the communication area has decreased transmits a signal for controlling parameters related to communication quality such as transmission power, frequency, communication speed, and coding rate to the wireless terminal (S5). Further, similar parameters are controlled in the radio base station (S6). As a result, the communication quality in the communication area can be improved, and the communication quality in the communication area where the location rate is reduced can be restored.

FIG. 8 shows a processing procedure of the base station apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, the processing of steps S1 to S6 is the same as that of the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, after changing parameters such as transmission power, frequency, communication speed, and coding rate in the wireless terminal and the wireless base station, the communication quality in the communication area is improved based on the number of authentication requesting terminals, for example. It is determined whether or not (S7). Here, if the communication quality of the communication area is not improved, the controlled parameter is returned to the original, and it is estimated that the location rate of the communication area has decreased due to a factor that cannot be dealt with by changing the parameter. The network management device is notified (S8), and another measure is taken.

  As a result, when there is a problem that cannot be dealt with by parameter control of the radio base station or radio terminal, for example, an increase in dead zone due to construction of a new underground facility, etc., it is possible to avoid a situation where parameter control processing is repeated indefinitely. it can.

1, 1A, 1B Wireless base station 2A, 2B Communication area 3, 3X, 3Y, 3Z Wireless terminal 11 Authentication device 12 Location rate estimation device 121 Counter 122 Storage unit 123 Arithmetic processing unit 31 Location determination unit 32 Flag storage unit

Claims (8)

In a wireless communication system that performs wireless communication between a wireless base station and a wireless terminal in a communication area formed by the wireless base station,
The radio base station counts the number of authenticated terminals in the communication area that communicate and the number of authentication request terminals that authenticate a connection request, and the ratio of the number of authenticated request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in a unit time. Estimating that the location ratio of the communication area formed by the radio base station has decreased when the ratio is calculated and determined whether the ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold A wireless communication system comprising processing means. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The wireless terminal holds an out-of-service flag when detecting that the communication area is out of service while the power is on, and includes the out-of-service flag when detecting that the communication terminal is out of service A means for sending a request and discarding the out-of-service flag;
The wireless communication system, wherein the estimation processing means of the wireless base station counts the number of authentication requesting terminals based on the out-of-service flag. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The estimation processing means of the radio base station records a ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the unit time, and sets an average value or a maximum value of the ratio for a certain period as the predetermined threshold value. A wireless communication system. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The estimation processing means of the radio base station provides a parameter control signal for controlling a parameter relating to communication quality with respect to the radio base station and the radio terminal when estimating that the location ratio of the communication area has decreased. Send
The radio base station and the radio terminal are configured to control parameters related to communication quality corresponding to the parameter control signal. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, wherein
After the transmission of the parameter control signal, the estimation processing means of the radio base station uses the controlled parameter as a basis when the ratio of the number of authentication requesting terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the unit time is equal to or greater than the threshold. A wireless communication system, wherein the network management device is notified that the location ratio of the communication area has decreased, while transmitting a signal to return to (1). In a wireless communication method for performing wireless communication between a wireless base station and a wireless terminal in a communication area formed by the wireless base station,
The radio base station counts the number of authenticated terminals in the communication area that communicate and the number of authentication request terminals that authenticate a connection request, and the ratio of the number of authenticated request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in a unit time. Calculate, determine whether the ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and if the ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, estimate that the location ratio of the communication area formed by the radio base station has decreased A wireless communication method characterized by the above. The wireless communication method according to claim 6,
The wireless terminal holds an out-of-service flag when detecting that the communication area is out of service while the power is on, and includes the out-of-service flag when detecting that the communication terminal is out of service Send a request, discard the out-of-service flag,
The radio base station counts the number of authentication requesting terminals based on the out-of-service flag. The wireless communication method according to claim 6,
The radio base station records a ratio of the number of authenticated request terminals to the number of authenticated terminals in the unit time, and sets an average value or a maximum value of the ratio for a certain period as the predetermined threshold value. Communication method.

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