JP2002123398A - Device and method for version up processing of software in communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the time required for downloading the software of a new version from a host station device to all the communication equipment reducible to the minimum when the version up of the software of the many communication equipments is required and to equalize the version up timings of the software to the utmost when the plural communication equipments have to operate cooperatively. SOLUTION: When an instruction receiving means 112 receives a downloading instruction from the host station device, a data reception means 113 receives new software management information from the host station device to store it in a downloading area 11, a version comparing means 114 prepares the list of the same software of new/old software management information in the area 111 having different versions and the means 113 receives the software on the list from the host station device to store it in the area 111.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention upgrades the software of a plurality of lower-level devices that operate on software (programs) downloaded from a higher-level device via a network. The present invention relates to a software version upgrade processing device in a communication device that upgrades software of a base station device that operates with software downloaded from, for example, an operation device, which is an upper station device, and a software version upgrade processing method in the communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a software version upgrade processing apparatus of this type of communication apparatus and a software version upgrade processing method of the communication apparatus include:
There is one described in JP-A-2000-35889.

[0003] When upgrading the software of a base station apparatus including a plurality of cards equipped with a CPU and a DSP, it is necessary to first download software necessary for each base station apparatus from a higher station apparatus.

As one method of performing the download, there is a method of sequentially downloading all the software used in the base station apparatus from the upper station apparatus to each base station apparatus.

As another method, there is a method of downloading only software modules in the base station apparatus that need to be upgraded from the higher station apparatus to each base station apparatus.

Further, in order to operate each card with the downloaded software, a process for activating a new version of software such as resetting (restarting) the card after downloading is required.

One method of performing the software activation process is to perform an immediate reset process when the software is downloaded from the upper station.

[0008] As another method, there is a method in which new software is inevitably activated when the software is reset for some reason after downloading the software.

[0009]

However, in the conventional apparatus, when all the software used in the base station apparatus is sequentially downloaded from the upper station apparatus to each base station apparatus, the software is downloaded to all of the many base station apparatuses. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time because it is necessary.

When only the software modules that need to be upgraded in the base station apparatus are downloaded from the upper station apparatus to each base station apparatus, the amount of transfer is reduced and the time required for downloading is shortened. If devices with various hardware configurations are mixed, the upper station device must determine the software modules that need to be downloaded for each individual base station device. There is a problem that it becomes larger.

In the case where the software is downloaded from the host station device and the immediate reset process is performed,
Since the download timing is different between a plurality of base station apparatuses, there is a problem that the version upgrade time is shifted.

In this case, in particular, when a plurality of base station apparatuses need to operate in cooperation, for example, when performing a handover, it is necessary to align software upgrades as much as possible.

If the software is reset for some reason after being downloaded, if the new software is inevitably valid, for example, if it is reset by an automatic recovery function from a card failure, the upper station device Since the reset is performed autonomously irrespective of the instruction, there is a problem that the version is upgraded when not necessary.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and downloads a new version of software from a higher-level station apparatus to all communication apparatuses when it is necessary to upgrade software of a large number of communication apparatuses (for example, base station apparatuses). The required time can be shortened as much as possible, the processing amount of the host station device can be reduced as much as possible, and when multiple communication devices need to perform cooperative operation, the software version upgrade timing can be aligned as much as possible, It is still another object of the present invention to provide a software version upgrade processing device in a communication device and a software version upgrade processing method in a communication device that can be prevented from being upgraded except when necessary.

[0015]

According to the present invention, there is provided a software upgrade processing apparatus in a communication apparatus, comprising: a download area for storing software and software management information transferred from an upper station apparatus; and an existing area stored in the download area. Version comparison means for comparing the software management information with the version of the same software indicated in the new software management information to be stored in the future, and creating a list of software having different versions. Data receiving means for receiving the new software management information from the station device and storing it in the download area, and receiving and storing the software indicated by the list from the upper station device.

According to this configuration, only the software of a different version among the software used in the communication device needs to be downloaded, so that it is possible to download the software in a shorter time than downloading all the software of the communication device. It becomes possible. Furthermore, since the software version comparison is performed by each communication device itself, the processing load on the upper station device is small even when a large number of communication devices are targeted, and devices having various hardware configurations are mixed in the targeted communication devices. However, there is no need to distinguish the upper station device.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the software upgrade processing apparatus in the communication apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the software transferred from the upper station apparatus is composed of a plurality of software modules each having a version, and the software management information. Adopts a configuration composed of the identification names of the plurality of software modules and their versions.

According to this configuration, of the software used in the communication device, software / versions having different versions are used.
Since only the module needs to be downloaded, it is possible to download the software in a shorter time than downloading all the software of the communication device. Furthermore, since the communication module itself compares the versions of the software modules, the processing load on the host station device is small even when a large number of communication devices are targeted, and devices having various hardware configurations are used for the targeted communication devices. Even if they are mixed, there is no need to distinguish the upper station devices.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the software version upgrade processing device in the communication device according to the present invention is provided with a current operation version storage area for storing the version of software in use on a plurality of cards for communication processing, When an instruction to activate a new version of software by designating a card is issued from the download area, the activation is performed after transferring the software from the download area to the current operation version storage area of the specified card. And a control means.

According to this configuration, the new version of software stored in the download area is activated by issuing an instruction from the upper station at an appropriate timing, and the corresponding card is operated by the new software. It becomes possible to make the reflection timing of the software version update in a plurality of communication devices uniform.

The software version upgrade processing device in the communication device of the present invention, in the above configuration, specifies a current operation version storage area for storing the version of the software in use and a communication processing card from the higher station device. Activation control means for instructing activation of the specified card after transferring the software from the download area to the current operation version storage area when instructed to activate the new version of software. The card includes software loading means for reading software for operating the card from the current operation version storage area when receiving the activation instruction.

According to this configuration, the new version of software stored in the download area is activated by issuing an instruction from the upper station device at an appropriate timing, and the card is operated with the new software. It is possible. It is possible to make the reflection timing of the software version update in a plurality of communication devices uniform. Further, when the communication device has a plurality of cards of the same type, it is not necessary to hold the software for each card, and it is sufficient to hold the software only in the common area, the current operation version storage area. Can be reduced in storage area size.

According to the software version upgrade processing apparatus of the communication apparatus of the present invention, in the above configuration, when the card has a working / standby redundant configuration, the basic function for confirming that the basic function of the own card is normal is provided. 4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising an operation check unit, and a redundant card switching unit for switching between an active system and a standby system of the redundant configuration card if the result of the check by the basic operation check unit is normal. The configuration in the communication device described above is adopted.

According to this configuration, first, an activation instruction is issued to the standby card to upgrade the version, confirm the basic functions, and then switch between the active card and the standby card. Since the card can be upgraded, the software can be upgraded without stopping the service of the communication device.

In the above-described configuration, the software version upgrade processing device in the communication device according to the present invention has a configuration in which a card has a redundant configuration consisting of a plurality of cards, and when the load is distributed among the cards, the basic function of the card is normal. If the result of the confirmation by the basic operation checking means is normal,
The service being executed by the card instructed by the higher station apparatus is executed by another card of the same type, and in this case, the original card is provided with a resource allocating means for stopping the service.

According to this configuration, first, for one of the designated types of cards, the service being performed is performed by another card, and the service of the original card is stopped. An activation instruction is issued to this card to upgrade the version, and after the basic functions are confirmed, the versions of other similar cards are sequentially upgraded. As described above, it is possible to upgrade the software version without stopping the service of the base station apparatus.

[0027] In the communication apparatus of the present invention, the software version upgrade processing apparatus has a plurality of download areas in the above configuration, and the activation control means receives an instruction from the higher station apparatus as to which version to activate. A configuration is adopted in which the corresponding download area is a target of activation control.

According to this configuration, the currently used version of the software can be backed up in any one of the download areas. Therefore, even if there is a problem with the upgraded software, the original version can be easily restored. It is possible to return to the operation using the software.

According to the software version upgrade processing device of the communication device of the present invention, in the above configuration, one of two download areas is used for a new version.
The other is fixed for the old version.

According to this configuration, the currently used version of the software can be backed up in any one of the download areas. Therefore, even if there is a problem with the upgraded software, the original version can be easily restored. It is possible to return to the operation using the software. Further, it is possible to designate an older version for backup from a higher station apparatus and download it in advance.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the software upgrade processing device in the communication device according to the present invention comprises a storage area for new version software management information, a storage area for old version software management information, and a set of software identification name and version. According to such information, a configuration is provided that includes a module version designating means for searching for a corresponding software of a corresponding version from a download area.

According to this configuration, in the download area,
Since the currently used version of the software can be backed up, even if there is a problem with the upgraded software, it is possible to easily return to the operation using the original version of the software. Further, it is possible to download an old version for backup from the higher station apparatus in advance. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to have the same version of the software that constitutes both the new and old integrated versions, it is possible to reduce the software storage area of the base station device.

The base station apparatus according to the present invention employs a communication apparatus having the same configuration as that of any one of the above-described apparatuses and including a software version upgrade processing apparatus.

According to this configuration, in the base station apparatus,
The same operation and effect as any of the above can be obtained.

According to the software version upgrade processing method of the communication apparatus of the present invention, when a download instruction is received from an upper station apparatus, new software management information is received and stored from the upper station apparatus, and the stored new software management information is stored. The software management information is compared with the version of the same software in the already stored existing software management information, a list of software having different versions is created, and the software indicated by this list is received from the upper station device and stored. did.

According to this method, only the software having a different version among the software used in the communication device needs to be downloaded, so that it is possible to download the software in a shorter time than downloading all the software of the communication device. It becomes possible. Furthermore, since the software version comparison is performed by each communication device itself, the processing load on the upper station device is small even when a large number of communication devices are targeted, and devices having various hardware configurations are mixed in the targeted communication devices. However, there is no need to distinguish the upper station device.

[0037] In the method for upgrading software in a communication apparatus according to the present invention, in the above method, an instruction to activate a new version of software is issued from an upper station apparatus, and the new version of software is activated in response to the instruction. I did it.

According to this method, the new version of the software stored in the download area can be activated by the instruction from the higher station apparatus and can be operated by the new software. It is possible to align the reflection time of the software version upgrade.

In the method for upgrading software in a communication apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned method, a plurality of communication processing cards are provided with storage areas for storing the version of software being used, and the higher station apparatus transfers the card from the upper station apparatus. When there is an instruction to activate a new version of software by designating, the software is transferred to the storage area of the designated card and then activated.

According to this method, it is possible to activate an already stored new version of software by issuing an instruction from an upper station at an appropriate timing, and to operate the card with the new software. Becomes
It is possible to make the reflection timing of the software version update in a plurality of communication devices uniform.

According to the method for upgrading software in the communication apparatus of the present invention, in the above-mentioned method, when the card has a working / standby redundant configuration, it is confirmed that the basic function of one of the cards is normal. If normal, the active system and the standby system of the redundant configuration card are switched.

According to this method, first, an activation instruction is issued to the standby card, the version is upgraded, the basic functions are confirmed, and then the active card and the standby card are switched. Since the card can be upgraded, the software can be upgraded without stopping the service of the communication device.

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG.1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

The base station apparatus 100 shown in FIG.
Various cards 101 to 104 that are equipped with U and DSP and realize functions such as wireless transmission / reception and baseband signal processing,
A bus 105 for transmitting control signals and data between the respective cards 101 to 104 is provided, and a first card 101 is provided with a software upgrade processing device 110 which is a feature element of the present invention.

The version upgrade processing device 110 includes a download area 111, an instruction receiving means 112, a data receiving means 113, and a version comparing means 114.

However, although the first card 101 is provided with the upgrade processing device 110, the other cards 102 to
4 may be provided. Further, the version upgrade processing device 1
Although the ten components 111 to 114 are provided on the same card 101, the components may be realized by a plurality of cards.

The software used in base station apparatus 100 is composed of a plurality of software modules.

FIG. 2 shows an example of software management information, which is composed of an overall version indicating the version of the entire software used in the base station apparatus 100, the identification names of the respective software modules 1, 2, 3,... And their versions. You.

An example of a software module is software for operating each card. in this case,
An example of the identification name of each software module is a character string specifying the type of the card.

Next, the role of each of the components 111 to 114 of the version upgrade processing device 110 will be described.

The instruction receiving means 112 receives a download instruction from an unillustrated higher station apparatus (for example, an exchange apparatus). The instruction includes general version information of the base station apparatus software to be downloaded.

The download area 111 stores software and software management information transferred from the upper station device.

The data receiving means 113 receives the data transferred from the upper station device and stores it in the download area 111.

The version comparing means 114 compares the software management information newly stored in the download area 111 with the version of the same software module in the software management information already stored in the download area, and compares the versions of the software modules having different versions. Create a list.

However, the version included in the new software management information may be compared with the version in the software module actually stored in the download area.

Note that the higher-level station apparatus also includes means opposed to the version upgrade processor 110 of the base station apparatus 100, such as an area for storing software management information and software modules, data transmission means, and instruction transmission means. And

Next, the processing operation when software is downloaded from the higher station apparatus to the base station apparatus 100 will be described.
This will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

First, in step ST301, the higher station apparatus designates a supervising version and issues an instruction to acquire software management information to the base station apparatus 100 to be upgraded.

When the instruction receiving means 112 of the base station apparatus 100 receives the instruction, the data receiving means 113 establishes a data transfer path with the higher station apparatus. This includes designation of data to be transferred.

After the establishment, in step ST302, the data receiving means 113 receives the integrated version of the software management information transferred from the upper station apparatus and stores it in the download area in step ST303.

Next, in step ST 304, the version comparing means 114 compares the existing software management information stored in the download area 111 with the version of the same software module of the software management information newly stored in the download area 111 this time. Compare and create a list of software modules with different versions.

Next, the data receiving means 113 establishes a data transfer path with the upper station apparatus, specifies the upper station apparatus and the data to be transferred for all the software modules in the above list, and executes step ST305
In step S, when the new version of the software module data is transferred from the upper station device,
In T306, it is stored in the download area 111. These are performed sequentially.

At this time, steps ST307 to ST30
At 8, the software module of the old version stored in the download area 111 may be deleted from the download area.

However, the software management information of the old integrated version may be deleted from the download area 111 after all modules have been downloaded.

Finally, in step ST 309, it is notified that a series of download processing has been completed.
From 0, it notifies the upper station device. This notification is performed by, for example, the data receiving unit 113.

As described above, the software version upgrade processing device 110 in the base station device according to the first embodiment.
According to the above, only the software modules having different versions among the software used in the base station apparatus 100 need to be downloaded, so that it is possible to download the software in a shorter time than downloading all the software of the base station apparatus 100. Becomes possible.

Further, since each base station apparatus 100 compares the versions of the software modules, the processing load on the upper station apparatus is small even when a large number of base station apparatuses 100 are targeted.

Even if the downloaded new software management information describes a module that does not exist in the base station apparatus 100, it is not included in the list generated as a result of the version comparison.

For this reason, even if devices having various hardware configurations coexist in the target base station device 100, there is no need to distinguish the upper station device. That is, it is only necessary to prepare one piece of software management information including information on modules used in all the base station apparatuses 100 for one integrated version.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version upgrade processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. However, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The base station apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 4 is different from base station apparatus 100 of the first embodiment in that activation control means 415 is added to version upgrade processing apparatus 410 and each card 101 104 have a current operation version storage area 416. However, the current operation version storage area 416 is not shown in the first card 101.

The instruction receiving means 112 is adapted to accept an activation instruction from a higher station apparatus in addition to a download instruction.

The activation control means 415 transfers the software of the specified card from the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 of the card, and issues an activation instruction to the card.

However, for activation, for example, the corresponding card is reset. After resetting each card,
The software for operating the own card is read from the current operation version storage area 416 of the own card, and is expanded on the main storage means (not shown).

Next, a processing operation for activating software downloaded to the base station apparatus 400 will be described with reference to a sequence diagram shown in FIG.

However, as shown by reference numeral 500 in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the download processing described in the first embodiment has been completed.

In step ST501, the higher station apparatus specifies an upgrade target card and issues an activation instruction.

This instruction is sent to the version upgrade processing unit 41.
Upon receipt of the instruction receiving means 112 of 0, the activation control means 415 transfers the software stored in the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 of the corresponding card (for example, 102) in step ST502, and then proceeds to step ST503. In, the card 10
2 issues an activation instruction.

However, steps ST502 and ST503
In the above, the target card is designated at the time of the activation instruction from the higher station apparatus, but the process may be repeated for all the cards which need to be activated without any particular designation.

As a result, in step ST504, the card starts operating with the new version of software. After this start, in step ST505,
The data receiving unit 113 transfers an activation end notification to the higher station apparatus.

As described above, base station apparatus 4 of the second embodiment
According to the software version upgrade processing device 410 at 00, the new version of software stored in the download area 111 is activated by issuing an instruction from the upper station device at an appropriate timing, and the corresponding card is updated with the new software. It is possible to operate with.

Even if the activation instruction has not been issued even if downloaded from the upper station apparatus, the old version is operated. For example, the new version is download area 1
When the activation instruction has not been issued in the state where the program has been downloaded to the PC 11, even if it is reset, it is activated by the old version software stored in the current operation version storage area 416.

Thus, by upgrading all the base station apparatuses 400 at the same time as much as possible, it becomes possible to prevent services from becoming uneven due to differences in software versions.

First, a new version of software is downloaded to all base station apparatuses 400 by the method as in the first embodiment. When there are a large number of base station apparatuses 400, it is difficult to download them all at once due to the processing capacity of the upper station apparatus and the limitation of the bandwidth of the network. However, since the activation instruction can be issued to all the base station apparatuses 400 in a short time, it is possible to align the reflection time of the new version.

In particular, when a plurality of base station apparatuses 400 need to operate in a coordinated manner, for example, when performing a handover, it is desirable to arrange the software version up time as much as possible. The method is effective.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version upgrade processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. However, in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The difference between base station apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6 and base station apparatus 100 of the first embodiment is that version upgrade processing apparatus 610 has the same configuration as the activation apparatus shown in FIG. The version upgrade processor 61 includes a control unit 415 and a current operation version storage area 416.
That is, the software loading means 617 is provided in the other cards 102 to 104 in which the “0” is not mounted.

When the software loading means 617 receives the activation instruction from the activation control means 415, the current operation version storage area 41 of the version upgrade processing device 610 receives the activation instruction.
6 reads the software for operating the own card via the bus 105 and expands the software on the main memory.

Next, a processing operation for activating software downloaded to base station apparatus 600 will be described with reference to a sequence diagram shown in FIG.

However, as shown by reference numeral 700 in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the download processing described in the first embodiment has been completed.

In step ST701, the higher station apparatus specifies an upgrade target card and issues an activation instruction.

This instruction is sent to the version upgrade processing unit 61.
Upon receipt of the instruction receiving means 112 of 0, the activation control means 415 transfers the software stored in the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 in step ST702, and in step ST703, the designated card (for example, 102) To the activation instruction.

In step ST704, the software loading means 617 of the corresponding card 102 reads the software for operating the own card from the current operation version storage area 416 via the bus 105 and activates it.

Thus, in step ST705, the corresponding card starts operating with the new version of software. After this start, in step ST706,
The data receiving unit 113 transfers an activation end notification to the higher station apparatus.

As described above, the base station apparatus 6 according to the third embodiment
According to the software version upgrade processing device 610 at 00, the new version of software stored in the download area 111 is activated by issuing an instruction from the upper station device at an appropriate timing, and the corresponding card is updated with the new program. It is possible to operate with. If the activation instruction has not been issued even after being downloaded from the higher station apparatus, the old version operates even if reset.

Thus, the same effect as that described in the second embodiment can be obtained. In addition, when the base station apparatus 600 includes a plurality of cards 102 to 104 of the same type,
Although it is necessary to have software in each of the current operation version storage areas 416 of the base station device 104, in the third embodiment, since only one current operation version storage area 416 needs to have the software, the total storage area of the base station apparatus 600 is sufficient. Can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version upgrade processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. However, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the second embodiment in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The difference between base station apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 8 and base station apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment is that version upgrade processing apparatus 810 is provided with redundant card switching means 818, and each of cards 101-104. But the second card 1
As a representative example, the operation / standby system has a redundant configuration.
19 is provided.

Hereinafter, the second card 102-1 is used as the active card 102-1 and the second card 102-2 is used as the standby card 1
Called 02-2. The active card 102-1 normally performs a valid operation, and the standby card 102-2 is an alternative card that is switched to operate when a failure occurs.

The redundant card switching means 818 is for switching the designated card between the active system and the standby system.

The basic operation check means 819 is for confirming that the basic functions realized by the software and the card are normal after being activated by the software stored in the current operation version storage area 416.

For example, this means 819 is realized by the new version of the software itself or by leaving the function of checking the normally running old version of the software. Further, the basic operation check means 819 transmits the result of the basic operation check to the activation control means.

Next, a processing operation for activating software downloaded to base station apparatus 800 will be described with reference to a sequence diagram shown in FIG.

However, as shown by reference numeral 900 in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the download processing described in the first embodiment has been completed.

In step ST901, the higher station apparatus specifies an upgrade target card and issues an activation instruction.

This instruction is sent to the version upgrade processor 81
Upon receipt of the instruction receiving means 112 of 0, the activation control means 415 transfers the software stored in the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 of the corresponding standby card 102-2 in step ST902. In step ST903, an activation instruction is issued to the standby system card 102-2.

As a result, in step ST904, the standby system card 102-2 is started with the new version of software. After this activation, in step ST905, a check is made by the basic operation check means 819, and the result is transmitted to the activation control means 415.

If the result is OK, step ST90
In 6, the activation control unit 415 instructs the redundant card switching unit 818 to switch the active system and the standby system of the card.

Subsequently, in step ST907, activation control means 415 transfers the software stored in download area 111 to the corresponding new standby card (old operation card 102-1), and in step ST908, An activation instruction is issued to the card 102-1.

Thus, in step ST909, the card starts operating with the new version of software. After this start, in step ST910,
The data receiving unit 113 transfers an activation end notification to the higher station apparatus.

On the other hand, if the result is NG, the activation control means 415 does not instruct the switching of the redundant cards 102-1 and 102-2, and notifies the higher station apparatus that the activation processing has failed. .

As described above, base station apparatus 8 of the fourth embodiment
According to the software version upgrade processing device 810 in 00, the software version can be upgraded without stopping the service of the base station device 800. Further, since the service can be started after the basic operation check of the new version software is performed, it is possible to prevent the service from being started even if there is a failure in the new version software.

(Embodiment 5) FIG.10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version upgrade processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.
However, in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the second embodiment in FIG.
The description is omitted.

The base station apparatus 1000 shown in FIG.
The difference from the base station apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment is that the version upgrade processing apparatus 1010 includes a resource allocation unit 1019.
And each card 101-104, 106, 10
7, when the first to third cards 101 to 103 have the same function and a redundant configuration,
The basic operation check means 819 shown in FIG.
It is provided with.

The resource allocating means 1019 causes the service executed by the designated card to be executed by another card of the same type, and stops the service by the original card.

Next, the processing operation when activating the software downloaded to base station apparatus 1000 will be described. However, this is a case where the load is distributed among a plurality of redundant configuration cards 101 to 103.

The higher station apparatus issues an activation instruction by designating (a type of) a card to be upgraded. When the instruction receiving unit 112 of the base station apparatus 1000 receives the instruction, the resource allocating unit 1019 causes one of the cards 102 of the specified type to be performed by the other card 103 and the service of the original card 102 to be performed. To stop.

The activation control means 415 transfers the software stored in the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 of the card 102 whose service is stopped and activates it.

After the service-stopped card 102 is activated by the new software, a check is made by the basic operation check means 819, and the result is transmitted to the activation control means 415. If the above result is OK, the activation control means 415
Instruct the resource allocation unit 1019 to execute the service of another card 103 on another card (for example, a card whose version has been upgraded) 104.

The activation control means 415 transfers the software from the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 of the card 103 whose service has been stopped, and activates it.

Thereafter, downloading and activation are performed for all the cards of the corresponding type. If the result of performing the basic operation function check on the first card 102 is NG, the activation control unit 415 does not issue a subsequent instruction to the resource allocation unit 1019 but activates the higher station apparatus. Notifies that processing has failed.

As described above, base station apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment
According to the software version upgrade processing apparatus 1010 in the base station apparatus 000, the software version can be upgraded without stopping the service of the base station apparatus 1000. Further, since the service can be started after the basic operation check of the new version software is performed, it is possible to prevent the service from being started even if there is a failure in the new version software.

(Embodiment 6) FIG.11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.
However, in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the third embodiment in FIG.
The description is omitted.

The base station apparatus 1100 shown in FIG.
The difference from the base station apparatus 600 of the third embodiment is that the upgrade processing apparatus 1110 is provided with two download areas 1111 and 1112 so that two types of integrated versions can be stored. However, each of the download areas 1111 and 1112 can store software management information and a set of software modules.

Further, in the case of the sixth embodiment, when receiving the activation instruction from the higher station apparatus, the instruction receiving means 112 also receives an instruction as to which general version to activate. The activation control unit 415 determines which download area 1 according to the instruction of which general version to activate.
It is possible to decide whether to target 111 and 1112.

The download processing in such a configuration is basically the same as in the first embodiment.

However, before starting the transfer, the same thing (management information and software) as the supervision version stored in the current operation version storage area 416 is secured in one of the download areas 1111 and 1112. This secured area is referred to herein as a backup area.

If there is an area storing the same general version as the current operation version, that area is set as a backup area. If not, copy from the current operation version storage area 416 to any of the download areas 1111 and 1112.

If the same version as the version designated for download is downloaded to one of the download areas 11
11 or 1112, it is copied to an area other than that area. This is because the download is unnecessary if the supervised version of the download instruction from the higher station apparatus already exists in one of the download areas 1111 and 1112.

The activation process is basically the same as in the third embodiment. However, in the sixth embodiment, after the operation is started with the new version, if there is a problem, the activation is performed again with the software of the version in the backup area.
It is possible to easily return to the original version.

As described above, base station apparatus 1 of the sixth embodiment
According to the software version upgrade processing device 1110 in 100, even if there is a problem with the upgraded software, it is possible to easily return to the operation with the original version of the software.

The activation control means 415 is provided, and if a problem occurs after activation with the new version, for example, if the card cannot be restarted, the activation control means 415 detects it. Alternatively, an instruction to reactivate the old version may be issued to the activation control means, and the original version may be returned. In this case, even if a problem occurs, the original state is automatically restored without any instruction from the higher station apparatus.

(Embodiment 7) FIG.12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version upgrade processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.
However, in the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 12, portions corresponding to the respective portions of the sixth embodiment in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The base station apparatus 1200 shown in FIG.
The difference from the base station apparatus 1000 of the sixth embodiment is that the two download areas 1111 and 1 of the configuration of the sixth embodiment are different.
Regarding 112, one is the download area 1211 for the new version, and the other is the download area 1 for the old version.
It is fixed to 212.

Further, in the case of the seventh embodiment, when receiving the download instruction from the upper station apparatus, the instruction receiving means 112 sets the download destination area to the new version download area 1211 or the old version download area. Whether the area 1212 is set can be specified.

Data receiving means 113 stores the data in the download destination according to the designation. The instruction receiving means 11
2 receives an activation instruction from the higher station apparatus, and also receives an instruction as to which of the new and old versions to activate. The activation control unit 415 can determine which download area is targeted according to the instruction.

The download processing in such a configuration is basically the same as in the first embodiment.

However, in parallel with this processing, the same version (management information and software) as the integrated version stored in the current operation version storage area 416 is secured in the old version download area 1212. At this time, copy as necessary.

Alternatively, different versions of software may be downloaded from the upper station apparatus to both the new version download area 1211 and the old version download area 1212. For example, the former is a new version that you want to upgrade, and the latter is an older version that has proven to work reliably.

The activation process is basically the same as in the third embodiment. However, in the seventh embodiment, after the operation is started with the new version, if there is a problem, the software of the version in the download area 1212 for the old version is again used.
By reactivating, it is possible to easily return to the original version.

As described above, base station apparatus 1 of the seventh embodiment
According to the software upgrade processing apparatus 1210 in 200, even if there is a problem with the upgraded software, it is possible to easily return to the operation using the original version of the software. Further, it is possible to specify an older version for backup from the higher station apparatus and download it in advance.

(Embodiment 8) FIG.13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version upgrade processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.
However, in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the third embodiment in FIG.
The description is omitted.

Base station apparatus 1300 shown in FIG.
The difference from the base station device 600 of the third embodiment is that the version upgrade processing device 1310 has the new version software management information storage area 13 in addition to the configuration of the third embodiment.
11 and the old version software management information storage area 1
312 and a module version designating unit 1313.

Module version specifying means 1313
Is for retrieving a corresponding software module of a corresponding version from a download area based on information including a set of a software module identification name and a version.

The function of the instruction receiving means 112 is the same as that of the third embodiment, except that the following functions are added. When a download instruction is received from a higher station apparatus, it is possible to specify whether the storage area of the software management information is the new version software management information storage area 1311 or the old version software management information storage area 1312.

Further, when receiving the activation instruction from the upper station apparatus, the instruction receiving means 112 can also receive an instruction as to which of the newer and the older version is to be activated based on the software management information.

Further, the activation control means 415 responds to the instruction of which version to activate, which is transmitted from the instruction receiving means 112, based on the software management information of the corresponding version, based on the module version specifying means 1313. The software of the designated card is transferred from the download area 111 to the current operation version storage area 416 by using. After that, an activation instruction is issued to the corresponding card.

The version comparing means 114 compares the version (each software module) described in the transfer software management information stored in one of the storage areas 1311 and 1312 with the software module actually stored in the download area 111. The versions are compared with reference to the version information in the list, and a list of software modules having different versions is created.

[0150] Next, from the higher station apparatus to the base station apparatus 1300.
The processing operation when software is downloaded to the PC will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

First, in step ST 1401, the upper station device determines whether any of the storage areas 1311 and 1312 is new or old.
And the base station apparatus 1300 to be upgraded
To the software management information.

Instruction receiving means 112 of base station apparatus 1300
Receives the instruction, the data receiving means 113 establishes a data transfer path with the higher station apparatus. This includes designation of data to be transferred.

After this establishment, in step ST1402, data receiving means 113 receives the integrated version of the software management information transferred from the upper station apparatus and stores it in the download area in step ST1403.

That is, the integrated version software management information stored in the current operation version storage area 416 is transferred to the old version software management information storage area 131.
2 and the current operation version storage area 4
16 is secured in the download area 111. Or copy as needed.

Alternatively, both the new version and the old version of the supervised version of the software may be downloaded from the upper station apparatus. For example, the former is a new version that you want to upgrade, and the latter is an older version that has proven to work.

Next, in step ST1404, the version comparison means 114 compares the existing software management information stored in the download area 111 with the version of the same software module of the software management information newly stored in the download area 111 this time. Compare and create a list of software modules with different versions.

Next, the data receiving means 113 establishes a data transfer path with the upper station apparatus, specifies the upper station apparatus and data to be transferred with respect to all the software modules in the above list, and executes step ST140
5, when a new version of the software module data is transferred from the upper station apparatus, in step ST1406, it is transferred to the download area 111.
To store. These are performed sequentially.

Lastly, in step ST1407,
The base station device 1 notifies that the series of download processing has been completed.
300 notifies the higher station apparatus. This notification is performed by, for example, the data receiving unit 113.

The activation process is basically the same as in the third embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, however, if there is a problem after the operation is started with the new version and the activation is performed again with the software of the old version, it is possible to easily return to the original version.

As described above, base station apparatus 1 of the eighth embodiment
According to the software upgrade processing apparatus 1310 in 300, even if there is a problem with the upgraded software, it is possible to easily return to the operation using the original version of the software.

Further, it is possible to download in advance the backup old version from the higher station apparatus. Also, unlike Embodiment 6 or 7, there is no need to duplicate the same version of the software modules that constitute the new and old integrated versions, so the software storage area of the base station apparatus 1300 can be reduced. It is.

[0162]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When it is necessary to upgrade the software of a large number of communication devices (for example, base station devices), the time required to download the new version of software from the higher station device to all the communication devices can be shortened as much as possible. It is possible to reduce as much as possible, and when the plurality of communication devices need to perform a cooperative operation, the timing for upgrading the software can be made as uniform as possible, and further, the version can be prevented from being upgraded only when necessary.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of software management information stored in a download area of a software upgrade processing device in the base station device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation of a download process performed by the software version-up processing device in the communication device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a software version-up processing device in a base station device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation of an activation process performed by a software version-up processing device in the communication device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing device in a base station device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation of an activation process performed by a software version-up processing device in the communication device according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of an activation process performed by a software version-up processing device in the communication device according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing device in a base station device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a software version-up processing apparatus in a base station apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of a download process performed by a software version upgrade processing device in a communication device according to an eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 110
0, 1200, 1300 base station devices 101 to 104, 106, 107 card 102-1 active card 102-2 standby card 105 bus 110, 410, 610, 810, 1010, 111
0, 1210, 1310 Version upgrade processing device 111 Download area 112 Instruction receiving means 113 Data receiving means 114 Version comparing means 415 Activation control means 416 Current operation version storage area 617 Software loading means 818 Redundant card switching means 819 Basic operation checking means 1019 Resource allocation means 1111 First download area 1112 Second download area 1211 New version download area 1212 Old version download area 1311 New version software management information storage area 1312 Old version software management information storage area 1313 Module version designation means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B076 AC03 BB04 BB06 5K067 AA14 AA21 AA34 AA42 DD57 EE10 EE16 GG11 HH22 HH23 KK11 LL08

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A download area for storing software and software management information transferred from an upper station apparatus, and the same software indicated by existing software management information stored in the download area and new software management information stored in the future. Version comparing means for comparing versions and creating a list of software having different versions, and when receiving a download instruction from the upper station apparatus, receiving new software management information from the upper station apparatus and storing it in the download area. ,
A data receiving means for receiving and storing the software indicated by the list from a higher-level station device, the software version upgrade processing device in the communication device. 2. The software transferred from the higher station apparatus is composed of a plurality of software modules each having a version, and the software management information includes:
2. The apparatus for processing upgrade of software in a communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is constituted by identification names of the plurality of software modules and their versions. 3. A current operation version storage area for storing a version of software in use is provided in a plurality of cards for communication processing, and an instruction to activate a new version of software by designating a card from a higher station apparatus is provided. 2. An activation control means for instructing activation after transferring said software from a download area to said current operation version storage area of said designated card when said software is present. Item 3. A software version upgrade processing device in the communication device according to Item 2. 4. A current operation version storage area for storing a version of software in use and a command for activating a new version of software by designating a communication processing card from an upper station. Activation control means for instructing activation of the specified card after transferring software from the download area to the current operation version storage area, wherein the card receives the activation instruction when the card receives the activation instruction. 3. The software version upgrade processing device in a communication device according to claim 1, further comprising software loading means for reading software for operating the own card from a current operation version storage area. 5. When the card has a working / standby redundant configuration, the card includes basic operation check means for confirming that the basic function of the card is normal, and the result of the confirmation by the basic operation check means is provided. 4. The apparatus for upgrading software in a communication apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a redundant card switching means for switching between an active system and a standby system of the redundant configuration card if the communication is normal. 6. The card has basic operation check means for confirming that the basic function of its own card is normal when a redundant configuration consisting of a plurality of cards is taken and the load is distributed to each card. If the result of the check by the operation check means is normal, the service being executed by the card specified by the higher station apparatus is executed by another card of the same type, and at this time, the service is stopped by the original card. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an assigning unit. 7. A plurality of download areas are provided, and the activation control means sets the download areas in response to an instruction from the higher station apparatus as to which version to activate, as an object of activation control. The software version upgrade processing device in the communication device according to claim 4. 8. The apparatus for upgrading software in a communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one of the two download areas is fixed for a new version and the other is fixed for an old version. 9. A download area for a corresponding software of a corresponding version, based on information including a storage area for new version software management information, a storage area for old version software management information, and a set of a software identification name and a version. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a module version designating unit for performing a software version upgrade. 10. A base station device comprising a software version upgrade processing device in the communication device according to claim 1. Description: 11. When a download instruction is received from an upper station apparatus, new software management information is received and stored from the upper station apparatus, and the stored new software management information and the already stored existing software management information are stored. Comparing the versions of the same software, creating a list of software having different versions, receiving and storing the software indicated by the list from a higher-level station apparatus, and performing a software version-up processing method in a communication apparatus. . 12. The software of the communication device according to claim 11, wherein an instruction to activate a new version of software is issued from a higher station apparatus, and the new version of software is activated in response to the instruction. Version upgrade processing method. 13. A case where a plurality of cards for communication processing are provided with a storage area for storing software of a used version, and an instruction to activate a new version of software by designating a card is issued from a higher station apparatus. 12. The software version upgrade processing method in a communication device according to claim 11, wherein the activation is performed after transferring the software to a storage area of the designated card. 14. When the card has a working / standby redundant configuration, it is confirmed that the basic function of one card is normal, and if normal, the operating system and the standby system of the redundant configuration card are changed. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the switching is performed.