JP5197131B2 - Wireless network system, wireless system selection method, and subscriber control node - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a radio network system allowing a mobile machine to select the optimal radio system without performing a complicated operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the radio network system in which an MME (Mobility Management Entity) 70 connected to a radio system of a different communication system performs position management of the mobile machine, the MME 70 stores types of communication systems of radio systems communicable in each position registration area as other communication systems, when receiving a position registration/update request including an identifier of a position registration area in the range from the mobile machine 11, the MME 70 extracts the other communication system corresponding to the identifier and transmits it to the mobile machine 11, and the mobile machine 11 selects the communication system based on the other transmitted communication system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio network system and a radio system selection method in which a mobile device capable of supporting a plurality of radio access schemes selects a radio access scheme to be used.

  Hereinafter, a method for selecting a wireless system in a conventional cellular system will be described. Various services provided by the cellular system are used by the majority of people because of their high level of convenience. Then, international standardization work is underway for technical specifications for further development of the second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) cellular systems that have become mainstream today to achieve high speed / large capacity. Yes.

  At present, international standardization has not been completed, and there are a plurality of cellular systems with different methods. As a terminal that realizes different systems with one mobile device, for example, there is a dual mode terminal that supports two systems of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and 3G. In this dual mode terminal, there are a manual mode in which a user selects a radio system and an auto mode in which the terminal automatically switches the radio system. In the auto mode for GSM / 3G, the dual mode terminal selects a PLMN to be used based on PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) information stored in a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module). Thereafter, cell selection / reselection is performed within / between wireless systems, a cell of an optimal wireless system is selected, and location registration for the selected PLMN is performed (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 below).

  Further, when there are wireless systems of different systems such as GSM and 3G, the location registration area is generally managed individually for each system. In this case, if one mobile station switches the connection destination from a location registered wireless system to a wireless system of a different method, the location management of the mobile terminal cannot be performed in the switching destination wireless system, so a new location registration is performed. A request needs to be made. On the other hand, the correspondence of each location registration area between different types of wireless systems is listed, and by using the list to know the location registration area of the switching destination, the switching destination wireless system is unaware of the user. Has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In such a network system, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a location registration request or a location update request that accompanies switching of wireless systems, or the occurrence of a location update request due to wobbling at a location registration area boundary.

International Publication No. 06/097987 Pamphlet 3GPP “NAS functions related to MS in idle mode” TS 23.122, v7.8.0, pp.24, March 2007 3GPP “UE procedures in idle mode and procedures for cell reselection and in connected mode” TS 25.304, v7.1.0, pp.11, December 2006

  However, according to the conventional radio system selection method, the user of the mobile station selects 2G (GSM), 3G, or automatic (2G / 3G), and cell search and location registration are performed according to the selection. ing. The mobile device cannot automatically activate / deactivate the optimum wireless device because the method of the wireless system being serviced in the area of the moving destination is not known in advance. For this reason, if the user of the mobile device selects a wireless system method that is not provided by the destination service, the unnecessary wireless device remains activated and consumes extra power. There was a problem.

  In addition, a composite wireless network including a next generation cellular system (3.9G / 4G) and an IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.)-Based wireless system (for example, IEEE802.11, IEEE802.16). In the system environment, service areas are not formed in a form where all wireless systems overlap in a wide area, but also include service areas dotted as hot spots. In such a composite wireless network system, when the conventional method of selecting a wireless system is implemented, the configuration of the service area becomes complicated, and the method selection and location registration / update request operations by the user become complicated. was there.

  Further, in the network system described in Patent Document 1, a location registration area corresponding to a destination wireless system can be automatically obtained after a destination wireless system is selected. Is not mentioned.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a network environment in which a plurality of wireless systems are mixed, an appropriate wireless system corresponding to the position of a mobile device without requiring a complicated operation by a user is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a radio network system and a radio system selection method that can be selected and prevent waste of power consumption of a mobile device.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes a subscriber control node including a wireless system of a different communication scheme and connected to the wireless system, and the subscriber control node is included in the wireless system. A wireless network system for managing the location of a mobile device to be connected, wherein the subscriber control node determines the type of communication system of the wireless system that can communicate in the location registration area for each identifier of the location registration area. And when receiving a location registration update request, which is a location registration request or location update request including an area identifier that is an identifier of a location registration area where the own device is located, from the mobile device, The corresponding other communication method is extracted, and the extracted other communication method is transmitted to the mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request, and the location registration is performed. Mobile station has transmitted the new request, the time of changing the communication mode, select the communication mode based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node, the subscriber control node, for each mobile station, the mobile machine is previously stored radio access capability information indicating the accessible radio system, characterized that you extract another communication system based on radio access capability information corresponding to the mobile station which has transmitted the location registration update request .

  According to the present invention, the MME that performs location management generates a list of location registration areas to which the location registration area in which the mobile device is located belongs, and notifies the mobile device of a wireless system of another method corresponding to the list. Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate radio system corresponding to the position of the mobile device without requiring a complicated operation by the user, and to prevent waste of power consumption of the mobile device. Play.

  Embodiments of a wireless network system and a wireless system selection method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first embodiment of a wireless network system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless network system of the present embodiment communicates between mobile devices 11 and 12 compatible with various wireless access methods and the mobile devices 11 and 12 using a plurality of wireless channels. The communication is performed between the radio base stations 21 and 22 of the second generation (2G) cellular system such as GSM and PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) and the mobile devices 11 and 12 using a plurality of radio channels. 3.9 / 4 generation (3.9 / 4G) for communication between radio base stations 31 and 32 of a 3rd generation (3G) cellular system and mobile devices 11 and 12 using a plurality of radio channels Of an IEEE system (such as IEEE802.11, IEEE802.16e) that performs communication between the wireless base stations 41 and 42 of the cellular system and the mobile stations 11 and 12 using a plurality of wireless channels. Access points 51 and 52.

  The radio network system according to the present embodiment includes a BSC (base station controller) 20 that controls the radio base stations 21 and 22, an RNC (radio network controller) 30 that controls the radio base stations 31 and 32, SGSN (Serving GRPS Support) that manages the location and session management of the gateway (Packet Data Gateway) 50 for accommodating base stations / access points of non-cellular radio systems in the cellular network, and 2G / 3G compatible mobile devices Node) 60, MME (Mobility Management Entity) 70 functioning as a subscriber node that performs location management and session management of 2G / 3G-compatible mobile devices, and location management and session management of 3.9G / 4G-compatible mobile devices Control seamless switching between 2G / 3G, 3.9 / 4G and IEEE radio systems And a Serving / PDN gateway 80 for connecting to another data network such as the Internet or an intranet.

  The transport network 11 shown in FIG. 1 connects the radio base stations 21 and 22 and the BSC 20 to transmit user data and control signals, and connects the radio base stations 31 and 32 and the RNC 30. It is. The transport network 2 is a network that connects the radio base stations 41 and 42 in order to transmit user data and control signals. The transport network 3 is a network that connects the access points 51 and 52 and the gateway 50 in order to transmit user data and control signals. The core network 4 is a network that connects the SGSN 60, the MME 70, and the Serving / PDN gateway 80 to transmit user data and control signals. The transport networks 1 to 3 and the core network 4 are connected to each other by a transfer means such as IP (Internet Protocol) standardized by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), and transmit user data and control signals. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the location registration area service area according to the present embodiment. In the case of the IEEE system, a service area is shown as a location registration area. In the example of FIG. 2, a 2G location registration area 201 that is a location registration area of the 2G cellular system, a 3G location registration area 301 that is a location registration area of the 3G cellular system, and a location registration area of the 3.9G / 4G cellular system 3.9G / 4G location registration areas 401 and 402, and service areas 501 and 502 which are IEEE service areas. In this example, the 2G location registration area 201 is the widest, and the 3G location registration area 301 is configured inside thereof. Also, a plurality of 3.9G / 4G location registration areas 401 and 402 and service areas 501 and 502 are scattered in the 2G location registration area 201. The mobile devices 11 and 12 move within and between these areas, and appropriately perform communication using a radio access scheme corresponding to each area.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the wireless network system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the wireless network system according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “location registration area list (list)” and a “other-type wireless system” management table corresponding to the list according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the MME 70 uses the management table as shown in FIG. 5 to manage the “location registration area list (list)” managed by its own apparatus and the “other wireless system” corresponding to the list. Manage and store. One Index corresponds to one group of location registration areas (including service areas) in a predetermined range among the location registration areas (or service areas) managed by the MME 70, regardless of the communication method.

  In the present embodiment, location registration areas (including service areas) of various communication systems corresponding to one index are bundled as one location registration group as described above. Make it look like an area. By doing in this way, generation | occurrence | production of the position registration or position update request accompanying switching of a radio system is suppressed, and the unnecessary generation | occurrence | production of the position update request by the fluctuation | variation in a position registration area boundary is suppressed. This group may be statically configured in advance, or may be dynamically configured based on the switching frequency or moving frequency of the radio systems of the mobile devices 11 and 12. When statically configured in advance, the MME 70 groups the location registration areas (including the service area) managed by its own device, and creates and stores a management table as shown in FIG.

  6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of the area configuration based on the management table of FIG. 6 corresponds to the case where the index of FIG. 5 is “1”, and FIG. 6 corresponds to the case where the index is “2”. When the index of FIG. 5 is “1”, the “location registration area list” includes 3.9G / 4G location registration, which is the location registration area of the 3.9G / 4G cellular system, as shown in FIG. Areas TA1, TA2, 2G location registration area RA21 that is a location registration area of 2G cellular system, 3G location registration area RA31 that is a registration area of 3G cellular system, and a wireless communication service area according to IEEE 802.16 Service area IA1 is included. As described above, one index (corresponding to one notification) corresponds to a plurality of location registration areas (location registration areas in which communication methods are mixed) identified by the index as a “location registration area list”. ing. That is, one index is bundled with a location registration area (including a service area) within a predetermined range regardless of the communication method.

  Similarly, when the index in FIG. 5 is “2”, the “location registration area list” includes 3.9G / 4G location registration areas TA3 and TA4 which are location registration areas of the 3.9G / 4G cellular system. A 2G location registration area RA22 that is a location registration area of the 2G cellular system, a 3G location registration area RA32 that is a registration area of the 3G cellular system, and a service area IA2 that is a service area of wireless communication according to IEEE 802.16, ,It is included. In the example of FIG. 7, the service area IA2 exists in the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA4.

  Further, in the column of “other system wireless system” in FIG. 5, for each position registration area (including service area) included in the “position registration area list” of the corresponding Index, Are stored in association with location registration areas (including service areas) in the “location registration area list”. “Another wireless system” refers to a communication method that allows communication within its own area (a communication method in which a location registration area or service area exists within its own area), excluding its own communication method. The type of communication method is indicated by an identifier.

  For example, in the case of the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA1 with Index “1”, the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA1 is in the 2G location registration area RA21 and in the 3G location registration area RA31. Therefore, in the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA1, communication of 2G cellular system and 3G cellular system is possible in addition to the communication method of 3.9G / 4G cellular system. In such a case, the “other wireless system” is 2G (2G cellular system) or 3G (3G cellular system). In the case of the 2G location registration area RA21 whose Index is “1”, the 3.9G / 4G location registration areas TA1, TA2, the 3G location registration area RA32, and the service area IA2 exist in the 2G location registration area RA21. For this reason, within the 2G location registration area RA21, the “other radio systems” are 3G (3G cellular system), 3.9G / 4G (3.9 / 4G cellular system), 802.16 (IEEE 802.16 communication). Method).

  In FIG. 5, in the “location registration area list”, it is assumed that the location registration area or the service area is stored with identifiers indicating the areas (here, TA1, TA2,...).

  Returning to FIG. 3, as an example, a case will be described in which the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the 2G or 3G cellular system. In addition, in this case, the location registration area in the same wireless system changes due to geographical movement, and the location registration area changes due to switching to a different wireless system regardless of geographical movement. And both cases.

  First, when the mobile device 11 moves to the location registration area of the 2G or 3G cellular system (or powers on: step S101), the mobile device 11 communicates with the MME 70 via the radio base station 21 (or radio base station 31) and the SGSN 60. Then, the identifier of the location registration area where the device is located is stored in an Attach (location registration request) message or a Routing Area Update (location update request) message and transmitted (step S102). Step S102 is performed according to a general procedure, and the mobile device 11 acquires an identifier of a location registration area in which the mobile station 11 is located according to a general procedure (for example, the base station 21 or (Acquired from information at the time of wireless connection with the base station 31).

  When the SGSN 60 receives an Attach Request message or a Routing Area Update message via the radio base station 21 (or radio base station 31), the SGSN 60 locates a location registration area (RA: Routing Area) in which the mobile station 11 included in the message is located. ) Is stored (step S103) and transferred to the MME 70 (step S104). The SGSN 60 uses the identifier of the location registration area in which the mobile device 11 is located, which is stored in step S103, when performing a general call.

  Next, when the MME 70 receives the Attach Request message or the Routing Area Update message transferred in step S104, the MME 70 stores the identifier of the location registration area in which the mobile station 11 is included, and the identifier. A “location registration area list” corresponding to is generated (step S105). Specifically, when the management table is created as shown in FIG. 5, the MME 70 includes the “location registration area” in which the identifier of the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located is included in the column from the management table. "List of" and the search result as the generation result. In the case of dynamic generation, for example, based on the identifier of the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located, the area around the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located (grouped). A location registration area (including a service area) of various communication methods (target) is generated by searching from information on the location registration area managed by the own apparatus. At this time, the conditions for grouping may be, for example, an area adjacent to the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located, an area having an inclusion relationship, or the like.

  Further, the MME 70 refers to the management table and extracts “another system wireless system” corresponding to each location registration area of the “location registration area list” generated in step S105 (step S106). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, when the mobile device 11 is located in the 2G location registration area RA21, the MME 70 corresponds to “1” in the index of the management table shown in FIG. 5 in step S105. A “location registration area list” is obtained as a search result. In step S106, “another wireless system” corresponding to “1” of Index is extracted.

  Further, for example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, when the mobile device 11 is located in the 2G location registration area RA22, the MME 70 sets “2” in the index of the management table shown in FIG. 5 in step S105. A corresponding “location registration area list” is obtained as a search result. In step S106, “another wireless system” corresponding to “2” of Index is extracted.

  Next, the MME 70 stores the “other-system radio system” extracted in step S106 in an Attach Accept (location registration response) message or a Routing Area Update Accept (location update response) message and transmits the message to the SGSN 60 (step S107). . The SGSN 60 transfers the received message to the mobile device 11 (step S108). Then, the mobile device 11 determines the success or failure of location registration or location update based on the value of the reason value included in the message transferred in step S108, and registers the location of the “other wireless system” transmitted from the MME 70. Stored as area information. In this way, when the mobile device 11 further moves or changes the communication method within the range of the group of wireless systems bundled with the same Index, the information of the identifier of the location registration area in the group is already held. Location registration request or location update request (the “other system wireless system” is associated with the location registration area identifier as shown in FIG. 5 and includes the information of “location registration area list”). There is no need to do.

  Next, the example shown in FIG. 4 will be described. In the example of FIG. 4, the case where the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the 3.9G or 4G cellular system will be described.

  First, when the mobile device 11 moves to the location registration area of the 3.9G or 4G cellular system (or turns on the power supply: step S109), the mobile device 11 is in the service area with respect to the MME 70 via the radio base station 41. The identifier of the location registration area is stored in an Attach (location registration request) message or a Tracking Area Update (location update request) message and transmitted (step S110).

  Next, when the MME 70 receives the Attach Request message or Tracking Area Update Request message transferred in step S110, the MME 70 stores the identifier of the location registration area in which the mobile station 11 is included in the message, and A “location registration area list” corresponding to the identifier is generated (step S111). The method for generating the “location registration area list” in step S111 is the same as in step S105.

  Then, as in step S106, referring to “another system wireless system” corresponding to each location registration area in the “location registration area list”, the identifier of the location registration area in which the mobile station 11 is located is used. A corresponding “other type wireless system” is extracted (step S112). For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, if the mobile device is located in the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA1, in step S111, the index is set to “1” in the index of the management table shown in FIG. A corresponding “location registration area list” is obtained as a search result. In step S112, “2G, 3G” corresponding to the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA1 is extracted from the “other wireless systems” corresponding to “1” of the index as the selected communication method.

  The MME 70 stores the selected communication method extracted in step S112 in an Attach Accept (location registration response) message or a Tracking Area Update Accept (location update response) message and transmits it to the mobile station 11 via the radio base station 41 (step S113). ). Then, the mobile device 11 determines the success or failure of location registration or location update based on the value of the reason value included in the message transmitted in step S113, and stores the selected communication method transmitted from the MME 70. The mobile device 11 can reduce the possibility of selecting a communication method that is not a service target by selecting a communication method from among communication methods included in the selected communication method.

  In the present embodiment, the MME 70 stores a “location registration area list” and a corresponding “other wireless system” for each index. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any method may be used as long as it stores a “other-system wireless system” corresponding to the area.

  In the present embodiment, the MME 70 transmits “another system wireless system”, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the “location registration area list” and “another system” are similar to the management table of the MME 70. Both of the “wireless system” may be transmitted. In this case, the mobile device 11 stores the transmitted “list of location registration area” and “wireless system of other system” as location registration list information.

  In this embodiment, the “other-system radio system” is included in the location registration response or the location update response for transmission. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is different from the location registration response or the location update response. Thus, the mobile device 11 may be notified of “another wireless system”.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the MME 70 receives a location registration request or a location update request message from the mobile device 11, the “location registration area list” to which the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located belongs. The “other wireless system” corresponding to the generated list is extracted and notified to the mobile device 11. Therefore, the possibility of selecting a communication method that is not a service target can be reduced, and an appropriate communication method can be selected. In addition, it is possible to deactivate components corresponding only to communication schemes that are not included in the “other wireless systems”, and in this case, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the mobile device 11 according to the second embodiment of the wireless network system according to the present invention. The configuration of the wireless network system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, the operations of the components other than the mobile device of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The operation of mobile device 11 of the present embodiment will be described using FIG. First, the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the first wireless system of any communication method (step S201). Next, the mobile device 11 stores the identifier of the location registration area of the first wireless system included in the received notification information (step S202). In the first wireless system, for each location registration area, the broadcast information transmitted by the base station or the like includes an identifier (hereinafter referred to as X) of the location registration area.

  Next, the mobile device 11 determines whether or not the stored X has changed (is not the same) in the identifier of the location registration area that has been located so far (before movement) (step S203). If there is no change (No in step S203), the process is terminated. If it is determined that there is a change in the identifier of the location registration area that has been located (Yes in step S203), it is determined whether X is included in the list information A of the location registration area that is held ( Step S204). Note that the MME 70 holds the “location registration area list” and the “other wireless system” as the management table as in the first embodiment, and the MME 70 stores the “other wireless system” in the mobile device 11. The mobile device 11 transmits the received “other wireless system” as the location registration area list information.

  If the mobile device 11 determines that X is not included in A (No in step S204), the mobile device 11 transmits a location registration request message or a location update request message to the MME 70 (step S205), and waits for a response. The timer is activated to wait for a location registration response or a location update response message (hereinafter referred to as a response message) from the MME 70 (step S206).

  When the mobile device 11 receives a timeout event of a timer waiting for a response before receiving a response message (step S207), the mobile device 11 determines whether or not the number of times the timeout event has been received exceeds a predetermined number (step S208). . If it is determined that the predetermined number of times has not been exceeded (No in step S208), the process returns to step S206, and the response waiting timer is started again. If it is determined in step S208 that the predetermined number of times has been exceeded (Yes in step S208), the process proceeds to predetermined error processing.

  When a response message is received from the MME 70 after the time-out event of the response standby timer after step S206 (step S209), the active response standby timer is stopped (step S210), and the “position” included in the received response message The “registration area list” and the “other wireless system” are added to the location registration area list A and stored (step S211). Then, the mobile device 11 extracts information corresponding to the identifier of the first wireless system from A as the selected wireless method, activates its own device corresponding to the selected wireless method, and is included in the selected wireless method. Among devices corresponding to no wireless system, devices corresponding to devices other than the first wireless system are deactivated (step S212).

  If it is determined in step S204 that X is included in A (step S204 Yes), the process proceeds to step S212.

  In the present embodiment, the case has been described where the MME 70 transmits the “location registration area list” and the “other wireless system” to the mobile device 11. However, as in step S 106 of the first embodiment, the MME 70. When transmitting the selected communication method, step S204 is omitted, and if it is determined in step S203 that there is a change in the location registration identifier (Yes in step S203), the process may proceed to step S205. Then, instead of step S211 and step S212, the device of its own device corresponding to the received selected wireless method is activated, and devices other than the first wireless system among devices corresponding to wireless methods not included in the selected wireless method are supported. What is necessary is just to inactivate the device to perform.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the selection corresponding to the identifier of the first wireless system is extracted and selected based on the “list of location registration areas” and the “wireless system of another method” transmitted from the MME 70. The device of its own device is activated / deactivated based on the wireless system. For this reason, it is possible to select an optimum configuration according to a wireless system that can be used at a position where the mobile device 11 exists without performing a complicated operation by the user, and it is possible to reduce power consumption.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the third embodiment of the wireless network system according to the present invention. The configuration of the wireless network system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, only parts different from the first embodiment or the second embodiment will be described.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the case where the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the 2G or 3G cellular system will be described. The operations in steps S301 to S305 are the same as the operations in steps S101 to S105 of the first embodiment.

  After step S305, the MME 70 extracts “another-system radio system”. At this time, the MME 70 extracts based on the radio access capability of each mobile device held in advance (step S306). As the wireless access capability, a list of methods in which the mobile device has a wireless communication function and wireless access is possible is listed. For example, even if the information corresponding to a location registration area having “another wireless system” is “2G, 3G, 802.16”, the wireless access of the mobile device 11 that is the transmission source of the message received in step S304 When only two wireless systems of 2G cellular system and 3G cellular system are included as capabilities, “802.16” is deleted and extracted. In addition, when the mobile device 11 includes three wireless systems of 2G cellular system, 3G cellular system, and IEEE 802.16 as the wireless access capability of the mobile device 11, it corresponds to a location registration area with “another wireless system”. If the information is “2G, 3G” and the two methods, “2G, 3G” is extracted as it is.

  Each MME may store the wireless access capability for each mobile device in advance in its own device as a database, or hold it as an integrated database in the network such as a home location register (HLR). Each MME may dynamically acquire corresponding data from the database.

  Steps S307 and S308 are the same as steps S107 and S108 in the first embodiment, respectively. Further, the operation of the mobile device 11 is the same as that in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  Next, a case where the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the 3.9G or 4G cellular system will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the present embodiment when the mobile device 11 moves to the 3.9G or 4G cellular system.

  The operations from step S309 to step S311 are the same as the operations from step S109 to step S111 in the first embodiment. Next, the MME 70 extracts “another-system radio system” based on the radio access capability for each mobile device as in step S306 of FIG. 9 (step S312). Step S313 is the same as step S113 in the first embodiment. The operation of mobile device 11 is the same as that in the first or second embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the MME 70 extracts “another wireless system” in consideration of the wireless access capability of the mobile device. Appropriate information suitable for the configuration of the device itself can be obtained, and a radio system that is more realistic than Embodiment 1 can be selected.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the wireless network system according to the present invention. The configuration of the wireless network system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Only the parts different from the first, second or third embodiment will be described below.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the case where the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the 2G or 3G cellular system will be described. The operation in step S401 is the same as the operation in step S101 in the first embodiment.

  Next, as in the first embodiment, the mobile device 11 sends an identifier of the location registration area where the mobile device is located to the MME 70 via the wireless base station 21 (or the wireless base station 31) and the SGSN 60. The information is stored and transmitted in a location registration request message or a Routing Area Update message, and at this time, its own wireless access capability is also included in the message to be transmitted (step S402). For example, when the user is set so that some wireless system devices cannot be used, the available wireless system devices are notified.

  The operations in steps S403 to S405 are the same as the operations in steps S103 to S105 of the first embodiment. Next, the MME 70 extracts “another system wireless system”, and extracts the wireless communication system based on the wireless access capability notified from the mobile device 11 (step S406). The extraction method for extracting “another wireless system” based on the wireless access capability is the same as that in the third embodiment.

  Steps S407 and S408 are the same as steps S107 and S108 of the first embodiment, respectively. The operations of the mobile device 11 other than the above-described step S402 are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  Next, a case where the mobile device 11 is turned on or moved to the location registration area of the 3.9G or 4G cellular system will be described. In FIG. 12, the operation in step S409 is the same as the operation in step S109 in the first embodiment.

  Next, the mobile device 11 stores the identifier of the location registration area where the mobile device is located in the Attach Request message or the Tracking Area Update Request message to the MME 70 via the radio base station 41 as in the first embodiment. At this time, its own wireless access capability is also included in the message to be transmitted and notified (step S410).

  The operation in step S411 is the same as the operation in step S111 in the first embodiment. Next, the MME 70 extracts “another system wireless system” based on the wireless access capability notified from the mobile device 11 in the same manner as Step S406 of FIG. 11 (Step S412). The operation in step S413 is the same as the operation in step S113 in the first embodiment. Further, the operations of the mobile device 11 other than the above-described step S410 are the same as those in the first or second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile station 11 includes its own wireless access capability in the location registration request or location update request message and transmits it to the MME 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The wireless access capability may be transmitted to the MME 70 by another method.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the mobile device notifies its own wireless access capability to the MME 70, and the “other-system wireless system” is extracted based on the wireless access capability transmitted by the MME 70. For this reason, even when the MME 70 does not hold the wireless access capability for each mobile device in advance, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a “location registration area list (list)” and a management table of “another wireless system” corresponding to the list according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the wireless network system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a different part from Embodiment 1 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, radio base stations (or access points) or cells in a radio system bundled with one index are divided into groups and correspond to each terminal. Assigning groups to distribute the load on the radio base stations and access points. The location registration area is often composed of a plurality of radio base stations (or cells). Therefore, when a radio base station or a cell to be accessed by the mobile device is specified together with the communication method for the mobile device 11, the load on the radio base station and the access point can be distributed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, for the location registration area where the index of the first embodiment is “1”, the base station or cell is subdivided into indexes such as “1A, 1B, 1C,. Subdivide to correspond to.

  In the example of FIG. 13, “2A” (2G cellular system) is the “other wireless system” corresponding to the 3.9G / 4G location registration area TA1 in the group corresponding to the index “1A”. , Base stations whose IDs (IDentifiers) are “1, 11, 21,...” Are included. In addition, in the group corresponding to the index “1B”, the “other wireless system” corresponding to the 2G location registration area TA1 has the ID “2, 12,” for “2G” (2G cellular system). 22 ... "base stations are included. Note that the ID of the base station or the ID of the cell may be used as the ID.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for step S106 and step S112. In step S106 and step S112, when “another system radio system” is extracted, the “other system radio” of which Index is based on the location registration area where the mobile station 11 is located and the identifier of the mobile station 11 is extracted. Decide whether to extract "system". For example, when the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located is TA1, in the example of FIG. 13, the index is “1α (α = A, B, C... Extract "system". When the end of the identifier of the mobile device 11 is “1”, “another wireless system” is extracted from the index “βA (β = 1, 2,...)”. If the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located is TA1 and the end of the identifier of the mobile device 11 is “1”, “another wireless system” with an index “1A” is extracted. .

  Then, MME 70 transmits the extracted “other system wireless system” to mobile device 11 in the same manner as in step S107, S108 or step S113 of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the “other-system radio system” to be transmitted includes the base station or access point ID as described above. The operation of the mobile device 11 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first or second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, MME 70 creates a group in which Index is subdivided in advance, associates the group based on the identifier of the mobile device, and transmits the ID of the base station (or cell) included in the group. However, the grouping method is not limited to this. For example, the MME 70 monitors the usage status of the base station (or cell) and obtains the usage rate, and the low usage rate base station or cell is assigned to the low usage rate group. You may leave as. Then, the MME 70 transmits the ID of the base station (or cell) included in the low usage rate group to the mobile device.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described where “the other-system wireless system” is extracted using the management table of FIG. 13 when performing the same operation as in the first embodiment. Instead of step S306 or step S312, the operation of step S106 or step S112 of the present embodiment may be performed. Further, instead of step S406 or step S412 of the fourth embodiment, the operation of step S106 or step S112 of the present embodiment may be performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the radio base stations of the radio system included in the “other radio system” are grouped and transmitted as the “other radio system” based on the identifier of the mobile device 11. A group of radio base stations was determined. For this reason, while achieving the same effect as Embodiment 1, it is possible to distribute the load of the radio base station.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the wireless network system according to the present invention. The configuration of the wireless network system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described. First, in the present embodiment, the mobile device 11 searches for various wireless systems other than the wireless system in communication (“another wireless system”) (step S501). Specifically, for example, the mobile device 11 tries to receive the broadcast information and the like by all the communication methods installed in its own device, and when it can be received, the communication method of the wireless system is set as the search result. This search result includes a communication method in which the device itself makes a location registration request or a location update request in step S503, which will be described later, but before making a location registration request or a location update request in step S503, the communication method is changed. Except for this, it may be a “other type wireless system”.

  Then, the mobile device 11 turns on or moves to the location registration area of the 2G or 3G cellular system (step S502). Next, the mobile device 11 stores the identifier of the location registration area in which the mobile station 11 is located and the searched “other system wireless system” in an Attach Request (location registration request) message or a Routing Area Update Request (location update request) message. And it transmits with respect to MME70 via the wireless base station 21 (or wireless base station 31) and SGSN60 (step S503). In consideration of the case where the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located differs between step S502 and step S501 due to movement or the like, the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located in step S502 and step S501 before step S503. Are determined to be the same, and if they are not the same, step S501 is performed again, and the search result may be transmitted as “another system wireless system”.

  Steps S504 to S506 are the same as steps S103 to S105 of the first embodiment. Then, the MME 70 stores the “other-system wireless system” transmitted from the mobile device 11 in association with the identifier of the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located (step S507). Specifically, for example, management is performed using the management table shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, and the location registration area where the mobile device 11 is located is displayed in the “other-system wireless system” column of the management table. The “other-system radio system” transmitted from the mobile device 11 in association with the identifier is stored. For example, when the mobile device 11 is in the 2G location registration area RA21 and “3G, 3.9G / 4G, 802.16” is transmitted from the mobile device 11 as “another system wireless system”, the management table “RA21: 3G, 3.9G / 4G, 802.16” is stored in the “other wireless system” column.

  Then, the MME 70 stores the “other-system radio system” transmitted from the mobile device 11 in an Attach Accept (location registration response) message or a Routing Area Update Accept (location update response) message and transmits it to the SGSN 60 (step S508). ). The SGSN 60 transfers the received message to the mobile device 11 (step S509).

  Next, the operation when the mobile device moves to the 3.9G or 4G cellular system will be described. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the sixth embodiment when the mobile device moves to the 3.9G or 4G cellular system. First, step S501 is performed as in the case of FIG. Step S510 is the same as step S109 of the first embodiment. Next, the mobile device 11 uses the Attach Request (location registration request) message or the Tracking Area Update Request (location update request) as the identifier of the location registration area in which the mobile station 11 is located and the “radio system of another method” searched in step S501. The message is stored in a message and transmitted to the MME 70 via the radio base station 41 (step S511).

  Step S512 is the same as step S111 of the first embodiment, and step S513 is the same as step S507. Then, the MME 70 stores the “other-system radio system” transmitted from the mobile device 11 in an Attach Accept (location registration response) message or a Tracking Area Update Accept (location update response) message and transmits the message to the mobile device 11. (Step S514). Other operations of the mobile device 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  The MME 70 receives “another communication method” from each mobile device according to the above chart, and based on the received content, the relationship between the identifier of the location registration area and the “another communication method” corresponding to the location registration area. Will be updated. In addition, wireless systems capable of communication differ from mobile device to mobile device due to differences in wireless environment and devices equipped. For this reason, it is desirable that the MME 70 increases the reliability of a plurality of “other communication methods” transmitted from each mobile device by statistical processing or the like.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a method in which the mobile device 11 can communicate is searched, and “another wireless system” is determined based on the search result. For this reason, the MME 70 can dynamically obtain the “other-system radio system” corresponding to the location registration area.

  As described above, the wireless network system and the wireless system selection method according to the present invention are useful for a wireless network system in which a plurality of wireless access methods are mixed. In particular, a mobile device corresponding to a plurality of wireless access methods is wirelessly connected. It is suitable for a wireless network system that performs wireless communication by selecting an access method.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of Embodiment 1 of the radio | wireless network system concerning this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a location registration area service area according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation of the wireless network system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the wireless network system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table of "the list list of a location registration area" of this Embodiment, and the "other system wireless system" corresponding to the list. It is a figure which shows an example of an area structure of the management table of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of an area structure of the management table of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the mobile apparatus 11 of Embodiment 2 of the wireless network system concerning this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of the radio | wireless network system concerning this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of Embodiment 3 when a moving apparatus moves to a 3.9G or 4G cellular system. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of Embodiment 4 of the radio | wireless network system concerning this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of Embodiment 4 when a moving apparatus moves to a 3.9G or 4G cellular system. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “location registration area list (list)” and a “other-type wireless system” management table corresponding to the list according to the fifth embodiment; It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of Embodiment 6 of the radio | wireless network system concerning this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of Embodiment 6 when a moving apparatus moves to a 3.9G or 4G cellular system.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Transport network 4 Core network 11, 12 Mobile device 20 BSC
21, 22, 31, 32, 41, 42 Radio base station 30 RNC
50 Gateway 51, 52 Access point 60 SGSN
70 MME
80 Serving / PDN gateway 201, RA21, RA22 2G location registration area 301, RA31, RA32 3G location registration area 401, 402, TA1, TA2, TA3, TA4 3.9G / 4G location registration area 501, 502, IA1, IA2 services area

Claims (12)

A wireless network system comprising a subscriber control node including a wireless system of a different communication scheme and connected to the wireless system, wherein the subscriber control node performs location management of a mobile device connected to the wireless system,
The subscriber control node stores, for each identifier of the location registration area, the type of the wireless system communication method capable of communication in the location registration area as another communication method. When receiving a location registration update request, which is a location registration request or location update request including an area identifier that is an identifier of the location registration area to be extracted, the other communication method corresponding to the area identifier is extracted, and the extracted other communication method is Send the location registration update request to the mobile device that sent,
The mobile device that transmitted the location registration update request selects a communication method based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node when the communication method is changed ,
The subscriber control node holds, for each mobile device, wireless access capability information indicating a wireless system that the mobile device can access in advance, and stores the wireless access capability information corresponding to the mobile device that transmitted the location registration update request. wireless network system, characterized that you extract other communication schemes based. A wireless network system comprising a subscriber control node including a wireless system of a different communication scheme and connected to the wireless system, wherein the subscriber control node performs location management of a mobile device connected to the wireless system,
The subscriber control node stores, for each identifier of the location registration area, the type of the wireless system communication method capable of communication in the location registration area as another communication method. When receiving a location registration update request, which is a location registration request or location update request including an area identifier that is an identifier of the location registration area to be extracted, the other communication method corresponding to the area identifier is extracted, and the extracted other communication method is Send the location registration update request to the mobile device that sent,
The mobile device that transmitted the location registration update request selects a communication method based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node when the communication method is changed,
The mobile device includes wireless access capability information indicating a wireless system that the mobile device can access, and transmits the location registration update request,
The wireless network system, wherein the subscriber control node extracts another communication method based on the wireless access capability information. The mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request activates a communication method device included in the other communication method received from the subscriber control node, and deactivates a communication method device that is not included in the received other communication method. The wireless network system according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that: For each communication method included in other communication methods, base stations, access points or cells in a location registration area in a wireless system corresponding to the communication method are divided into a plurality of groups, and associated with the identifier of the mobile device and the group,
The subscriber control node transmits, for each communication method included in the extracted other communication method, an identifier of a base station, an access point, or a cell included in a group corresponding to the identifier of the mobile device that transmitted the location registration update request. wireless network system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that. The subscriber control node obtains a usage rate of a base station, access point or cell of the radio system, holds an identifier of the base station, access point or cell having a low usage rate as a low usage rate base station identifier, for each communication method included in the extracted other communication method, according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that for transmitting the low use rate base station identifier corresponding to the location registration area of the communication system Wireless network system. The mobile device extracts a wireless system that can be wirelessly accessed, obtains another communication method based on the communication method of the extracted wireless system, and includes the other communication method in the location registration update request to the subscriber control node. Notify
The wireless network system according to claim 1 , wherein the subscriber control node obtains the other communication method to be stored based on the other communication method notified from the mobile device. The subscriber control node stores the other communication method notified from the mobile station that has transmitted the location registration update request when the other communication method corresponding to the stored area identifier is different. The wireless network system according to claim 6 , wherein the other communication method corresponding to the area identifier is updated to another communication method notified from the mobile device. 8. The wireless network system according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein statistical processing is performed on another communication method notified from a plurality of mobile devices, and the other communication method stores the other communication method after the statistical processing. A radio system selection method in a radio network system including a radio system of a different communication system and including a subscriber control node connected to the radio system, wherein the subscriber control node manages a location of a mobile device connected to the radio system. There,
The subscriber control node stores, for each identifier of the location registration area, a type of communication method of a wireless system capable of communication in the location registration area as another communication method,
When the subscriber control node receives from the mobile device a location registration update request that is a location registration request or location update request that includes an area identifier that is an identifier of a location registration area in which the mobile device is located, the area identifier A communication method transmission step of extracting the other communication method corresponding to the, and transmitting the extracted other communication method to the mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request;
A communication method selection step in which the mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request selects a communication method based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node when the communication method is changed,
For each mobile device, the subscriber control node holds in advance radio access capability information indicating a radio system that can be accessed by the mobile device, and stores the radio access capability information corresponding to the mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request. An extraction step of extracting another communication method based on the
A method of selecting a wireless system, comprising: A radio system selection method in a radio network system including a radio system of a different communication system and including a subscriber control node connected to the radio system, wherein the subscriber control node manages a location of a mobile device connected to the radio system. There,
  The subscriber control node stores, for each identifier of the location registration area, a type of communication method of a wireless system capable of communication in the location registration area as another communication method,
  When the subscriber control node receives from the mobile device a location registration update request that is a location registration request or location update request that includes an area identifier that is an identifier of a location registration area in which the mobile device is located, the area identifier A communication method transmission step of extracting the other communication method corresponding to the, and transmitting the extracted other communication method to the mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request;
  A communication method selection step in which the mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request selects a communication method based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node when the communication method is changed,
  A capability information transmission step in which the mobile device includes wireless access capability information indicating a wireless system accessible by the mobile device in the location registration update request, and
  The subscriber control node extracting another communication scheme based on the radio access capability information; and
  A method of selecting a wireless system, comprising: A subscriber control node including a wireless system of a different communication scheme and connected to the wireless system, and managing a location of a mobile device connected to the wireless system;
  For each identifier of the location registration area, the type of wireless communication system that can communicate in the location registration area is stored as another communication method, and from the mobile device, the identifier of the location registration area in which the own device is located Upon receiving a location registration update request that is a location registration request or location update request including a certain area identifier, it extracts another communication method corresponding to the area identifier, and transmits the extracted other communication method to the location registration update request. The wireless access capability information indicating the wireless method that can be accessed by each mobile device is stored in advance, and the wireless access capability information corresponding to the mobile device that transmitted the location registration update request is stored in each mobile device. Based on other communication methods,
  The mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request selects a communication method based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node when the communication method is changed.
  A subscriber control node, characterized in that A subscriber control node including a wireless system of a different communication scheme and connected to the wireless system, and managing a location of a mobile device connected to the wireless system;
For each identifier of the location registration area, the type of wireless communication system that can communicate in the location registration area is stored as another communication method, and from the mobile device, the identifier of the location registration area in which the own device is located Upon receiving a location registration update request that is a location registration request or location update request including a certain area identifier, it extracts another communication method corresponding to the area identifier, and transmits the extracted other communication method to the location registration update request. Sent to the mobile device
The location registration update request includes radio access capability information indicating a radio scheme that can be accessed by the mobile device that is the source of the location registration update request, and extracts other communication schemes based on the radio access capability information,
The mobile device that has transmitted the location registration update request selects a communication method based on another communication method transmitted from the subscriber control node when the communication method is changed.
A subscriber control node, characterized in that

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